Is grey hair in kids normal?

Author: Clare Reinger  |  Last update: Tuesday, July 8, 2025

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.

Can 13 year olds have GREY hair?

You're fine. It's not uncommon for teenagers to develop a few white or gray hairs. This can happen due to various reasons, but it's typically related to genetics. Sometimes, premature graying can be hereditary, so if your parents or grandparents experienced early graying, it might be a contributing factor.

How to stop early greying of hair in kids?

Make sure your child consumes foods high in copper and zinc, such as shellfish, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and legumes. Antioxidants help to neutralise free radicals in the body, which can damage hair follicles and cause premature greying.

Is grey hair due to stress?

Yes. Stress has been shown to speed up signs of aging — including gray hair. When you're stressed, your body has a fight-or-flight response and releases a hormone called norepinephrine. This causes the melanocytes — the cells that produce melanin — to move out of your hair follicles.

What deficiency causes grey hair?

Any deficiencies of vitamin B9, B12, biotin, or vitamin D can contribute to premature graying. One 2018 review notes various deficiency studies on vitamin D3, vitamin B12, copper, zinc, and calcium and their connection to graying hair.

Why Your Child Might Have White Hair

Can grey hair turn black again?

It has long been thought that reversal of gray hair on a large scale is rare. However, a recent study reported that individual gray hair darkening is a common phenomenon, suggesting the possibility of large-scale reversal of gray hair.

Can vitamin B12 stop gray hair?

Premature graying may be reversed with vitamin B12 supplementation only if vitamin B12 deficiency is the cause. If you are graying due to other factors, such as genetics, zinc deficiency, and medications, your gray hair cannot be reversed.

What vitamin deficiency causes hair loss in children?

Though less common, hair loss can be a symptom of deficiencies in certain nutrients, including: Vitamin B7, or biotin, one of the B complex of vitamins, which help the body to convert carbohydrates into glucose to fuel the body. Zinc, an essential mineral involved in numerous aspects of cellular metabolism.

What age is early for GREY hair?

Typically, White people start going gray in their mid-30s, Asian people in their late 30s, and Black people in their mid-40s. Half of all people have a significant amount of gray hair by the time they turn 50. A White person is considered to be prematurely gray if their hair turns gray by age 20.

Can you reverse gray hair?

If the cause of greying is genetic, it is not possible to reverse the process, no matter what some marketers on the internet claim. In case of nutritional deficiencies and underlying medical conditions, you can gradually slow down or even reverse the process.

Why does my child have a patch of white hair?

The correct term for a circumscribed area of white hair is poliosis. While not a disease, poliosis can be caused by many pathologic conditions, including vitiligo and nevus sebaceous. It can be found on any hair-bearing skin and at any age, depending on the actual cause.

What to eat to prevent white hair?

Incorporating specific foods into your diet can provide essential nutrients that support hair health and potentially delay the onset of premature greying.
  • Leafy Greens. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Nuts and Seeds. ...
  • Fish. ...
  • Whole Grains. ...
  • Eggs. ...
  • Sweet Potatoes. ...
  • Greek Yoghurt.

Is it normal for a 13 year old to have gray hair?

Early graying hair is usually an interplay of genetic and hormonal factors in adolescence. Genetically, if someone in the family has prematurely gray hair, the teen is more likely to follow suit due to hereditary traits.

What vitamin deficiency causes gray hair in kids?

Although the primary cause of premature hair graying (PHG) is considered to be genetic, certain environmental factors also play a role. Trace element deficiencies such as Vitamin B12, Vitamin D3, and calcium may also be associated with PHG. However, India-specific data are relatively sparse.

What illness causes grey hair?

In rare cases, premature graying can be a sign of a medical issue, such as vitiligo (a condition that causes the skin to lose its pigmentation), pernicious anemia (in which the body has difficulty absorbing vitamin B12), or problems involving your pituitary or thyroid glands.

Is it normal for a 7 year old to lose hair?

Similarly, hair loss is not uncommon problem in pediatric group [2] but has patterns that are different from that seen in adults. [2] In addition, this problem is of particular concern in pediatric group, as it is associated with more significant psychological consequences in this growing age group.

Does low iron cause hair loss?

Low iron levels can lead to hair loss. Iron deficiency can trigger a condition called telogen effluvium, which increases hair shedding and limits hair growth. Iron deficiency hair loss can be reversed if you get your iron levels back to normal. Oral iron supplements can help replenish your body's iron stores.

What does thyroid hair loss look like?

Severe and prolonged hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism can cause loss of hair. The loss is diffuse and involves the entire scalp rather than discrete areas. The hair appears uniformly sparse.

What causes white hair in children?

Exposure to chemicals, pollutants, and toxins can inhibit melanin production, affecting the hair's health and causing white hair. Furthermore, UV-induced damage is yet another cause of white hair at an early age.

Which fruit is rich in vitamin B12?

There are ten major sources of vitamin B12 fruits. These are apples, bananas, oranges, mangoes, strawberries, guava, avocado, pomegranate, kiwi, and blueberries. Apples- Apples rank first in the vitamin B12 fruits list.

What are the negatives to taking B12?

High doses of vitamin B-12, such as those used to treat a deficiency, might cause:
  • Headache.
  • Nausea and vomiting.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Fatigue or weakness.
  • Tingling sensation in hands and feet.

Does stress cause grey hair?

A new study shows that stress really can give you gray hair. Researchers found that the body's fight-or-flight response plays a key role in turning hair gray. Your hair color is determined by pigment-producing cells called melanocytes.

How to restore melanin in hair?

If you're looking at how to increase melanin in hair, you must include in your diet, melanin rich foods and foods that are rich in vitamins. o Vitamin A – stimulates the oil-producing glands in the hair follicle and keeps the hair moisturized. Found in carrots, kale, spinach and sweet potatoes.

What nationality does not get gray hair?

Melanin is what gives your hair (and skin) its natural color. People of African descent, Thai, and Chinese people, go grey more slowly.

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