What disease causes silver hair?

Author: Nona Runolfsdottir  |  Last update: Monday, October 27, 2025

Griscelli syndrome is an inherited condition characterized by unusually light (hypopigmented) skin and light silvery-gray hair starting in infancy. Researchers have identified three types of this disorder, which are distinguished by their genetic cause and pattern of signs and symptoms.

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.

What deficiency causes silver hair?

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: vitamin B12 deficiency.

What autoimmune disease causes GREY hair?

Premature hair graying (PHG) has been associated with autoimmune disease (AD) including premature ovarian, thyroid, and adrenal failure and reduced bone mineral density at menopause, suggesting that these latter women have earlier reduced ovarian reserve.

Why am I getting random silver hairs?

The most common factor is stress, followed by genetics, which causes either a loss or gain of pigment in your strands as you age, and finally a change in hormones as you age as well. If your genetics make you lose pigment, your hair could turn grey, silver, or white.

Age isn't the only reason why hair starts to go gray

What is the silvery hair syndrome?

Silvery gray hair syndromes consist of three conditions: Chediak–Higashi syndrome (CHS), Griscelli syndrome (GS), and Elejalde syndrome (ES). All these three disorders are rare autosomal recessive disorders presenting in childhood.

Which vitamin deficiency causes white hair?

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.

Which hormone deficiency causes GREY hair?

Deficiency of thyroid hormone,Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D, zinc, selenium, iron, copper can make your hair go grey before time. Read here to know what you can do about it. Greying of hair occurs as a result of chronological ageing of hair.

What autoimmune disease attacks hair?

Alopecia areata is a disease that happens when the immune system attacks hair follicles and causes hair loss. Hair follicles are the structures in skin that form hair. While hair can be lost from any part of the body, alopecia areata usually affects the head and face.

What disease makes you turn gray?

Argyria is a condition that causes your skin and mucous membranes (the lining of parts of your body) to turn blue to gray. This is the result of silver building up in your body. You can get this condition if you have frequent exposure over time to microscopic silver compounds that absorb into your body.

What vitamin reverses gray hair?

A review of research suggests that proper supplementation may reverse premature graying in those who are deficient in certain nutrients, including iron, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.

Can stress cause silver hair?

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 causes shiny silver hair?

Silvery hair is a common presentation of rare group of autosomal recessive disorders called Silvery hair syndromes including Griscelli syndrome (GS), Chediak-Higashi syndrome, and Elejalde syndrome.

What drugs cause gray hair?

7. Medications: Premature greying of hair can be caused by following drugs:
  • Chloroquine.
  • Mephenesin.
  • Phenylthiourea.
  • Triparanol.
  • Fluoro butyrophenone.
  • Dixyrazine.
  • Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitor.
  • Interferon-alpha.

Is grey hair caused by thyroid?

But when your hair starts to gray earlier than you might expect, it could be related to your thyroid. The thyroid is responsible for regulating your metabolism, so when your thyroid is not working correctly, it can affect every cell in your system - including your hair.

Why am I suddenly getting gray hair?

Genetics and certain chronic conditions, including autoimmune disorders like vitiligo, have also been linked with early grays, Dr. Taylor adds. And if you're wondering if there's anything you can do to regain your lost pigment: “In short, probably not,” according to Dr. Taylor.

What is Hashimoto's hair?

In Hashimoto's disease this hair loss most commonly presents in the form of diffuse hair loss across the scalp and eyebrows. Additionally, the reduced functionality of the T3 and T4 hormone reduces overall sebum production, which can give a thin, brittle appearance to your hair.

What are usually the first signs of lupus?

Symptoms
  • Fatigue.
  • Fever.
  • Joint pain, stiffness and swelling.
  • Butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and bridge of the nose or rashes elsewhere on the body.
  • Skin lesions that appear or worsen with sun exposure.
  • Fingers and toes that turn white or blue when exposed to cold or during stressful periods.

What are the worst symptoms of Sjögren's?

In addition to dryness, Sjögren's syndrome can cause other symptoms, including:
  • Joint pain.
  • Muscle pain or weakness.
  • Swollen lymph nodes.
  • Fatigue (feeling tired all the time).
  • Trouble swallowing (dysphagia) or talking.
  • Brain fog (trouble thinking or focusing).
  • Loss of taste.
  • Tooth decay (cavities) or loss.

What disorder causes GREY hair?

Griscelli syndrome is an inherited condition characterized by unusually light (hypopigmented) skin and light silvery-gray hair starting in infancy. Researchers have identified three types of this disorder, which are distinguished by their genetic cause and pattern of signs and symptoms.

Can liver problems cause grey hair?

During this time, if the balance of hormones is not right, then it can lead to premature greying. Apart from that, people who suffer from acidity, liver problems or thyroid disease will also experience premature greying due to an unbalanced body chemistry.

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 illness makes your hair white?

Marie Antoinette syndrome designates the condition in which scalp hair suddenly turns white.

What colors should you avoid with gray hair?

The Colors to Avoid with Gray Hair

Here are a few to steer clear of: Muddy Neutrals: Beige, taupe, and other muted tones can make your skin look washed out and ashy. Earthy Yellows and Oranges: These warm tones clash with the coolness of gray hair and can make your complexion look sallow.

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.

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