What does it mean when a 12 year old has GREY hair?

Gray hair occurs with normal aging because the hair cells on the scalp produce less melanin; in children, early graying tends to be inherited. A single strand of gray hair is most noticeable in people with darker hair and is usually not worrisome if the child’s general health is normal.

What happens if a 12 year old has white hair?

White hair at an early age can also indicate a vitamin B-12 deficiency. This vitamin plays an important role in your body. Your body needs vitamin B-12 for healthy red blood cells, which carry oxygen to cells in your body, including hair cells. A deficiency can weaken hair cells and affect melanin production.

Why has my 10 year old got GREY hair?

The appearance of gray hairs may be the result of a child’s genetically determined maturational schedule. If so, it is likely (but not certain) that others in the family tree would have followed a similar schedule.

Can an 11 year old have white hair?

Gray or white hair is a normal sign of aging in older people. But premature graying of hair can happen at a young age, as early as in childhood or teens. Although it is not a harmful condition, it could be a concern for children and their parents.

Why do I have gray hair at 14?

As we get older, the pigment cells in our hair follicles gradually die. When there are fewer pigment cells in a hair follicle, that strand of hair will no longer contain as much melanin and will become a more transparent color — like gray, silver, or white — as it grows. People can get gray hair at any age.

Can you get GREY hairs at 13?

At what age start getting white hair?

Typically, white people start going gray in their mid-30s, Asians in their late 30s, and African-Americans in their mid-40s. Half of all people have a significant amount of gray hair by the time they turn 50.

What age does hair turn gray first?

Eventually, the hair will look completely gray. People can get gray hair at any age. Some people go gray at a young age — as early as when they are in high school or college — whereas others may be in their 30s or 40s before they see that first gray hair.

Why does my 4 year old son have scattered gray hairs?

Gray hair in children is called premature graying. The appearance of gray hairs may be the result of a child’s genetically determined maturational schedule. My 4-year-old son has had scattered gray hairs for about two years. Does he have a vitamin deficiency?

Does B12 deficiency cause gray hair in children?

If your son’s gray hair resulted from a prior deficiency that has resolved, it will probably not be detectable by a current blood test; however, the graying will not progress in this case. Some anemias — the megaloblastic ones (including the anemia caused by B12 deficiency) — can produce gray hairs as an early sign.

Is gray hair a sign of an illness?

The vast majority of people with gray hair have age-related graying. However, sometimes graying hair indicates an illness, especially if it occurs at a particularly young age. Health problems that may be heralded by gray hair include: