What is it called when you have white hair and pale skin?

Author: Jesus Rogahn  |  Last update: Saturday, December 6, 2025

Albinism. Albinism is a rare genetic condition caused by mutations, or changes, of certain genes that affect the amount of melanin your body produces. Melanin controls the pigmentation (color) of your skin, eyes and hair. People with albinism have extremely pale skin, eyes and hair.

What disease is white hair and pale skin?

Albinism is a rare hereditary disorder in which little or none of the skin pigment melanin is formed. The skin, hair, and eyes, or sometimes just the eyes, are affected. In affected people, the hair and skin are white, and the eyes may be pink or pale blue-gray.

What is it called when you have white skin and white hair?

People with albinism often have white or very light blonde hair, although some have brown or red hair. The exact colour depends on how much melanin their body produces. Very pale skin that burns easily in the sun and does not usually tan is also typical of albinism.

What is the medical term for white skin and hair?

albinism. A group of genetic conditions marked by little or none of the pigment melanin in the skin, hair, and/or eyes.

What is the white hair and skin syndrome?

The term albinism usually refers to oculocutaneous (ok-u-low-ku-TAY-nee-us) albinism (OCA). OCA is a group of disorders passed down in families where the body makes little or none of a substance called melanin. The type and amount of melanin in your body determines the color of your skin, hair and eyes.

Color Analysis: White Grey Hair, Blue Eyes

What is a piebaldism?

Piebaldism is a condition characterized by the absence of cells called melanocytes in certain areas of the skin and hair. Melanocytes produce the pigment melanin, which contributes to hair, eye, and skin color. The absence of melanocytes leads to patches of skin and hair that are lighter than normal.

What causes white hair and white skin?

Albinism is a genetic abnormality in which little or no pigment is found in human hair, eyes, and skin. The hair is often white or pale blond. However, it can be red, darker blond, light brown, or rarely, even dark brown.

Why is my hair and skin turning white?

Vitiligo is caused by the lack of a pigment called melanin in the skin. Melanin is produced by skin cells called melanocytes, and it gives your skin its colour. In vitiligo, there are not enough working melanocytes to produce enough melanin in your skin. This causes white patches to develop on your skin or hair.

What is a Mallen?

The Mallen Streak is a genetic condition that is characterized by a streak of white or pale hair in the midst of otherwise pigmented hair. The condition is named after the fictional character Mr. Mallen, who was depicted with the characteristic white streak in the novel "The White Feather" by P. G.

Is albinism a disability?

Yes, persons with Albinism are usually as healthy as everyone else; with growth and development occurring as normal, but can be classified as people with disability because of the health challenges associated with the condition. Very notable among such challenges is visual impairment.

Do all albinos have red eyes?

A common myth is that people with albinism have red eyes. Although lighting conditions can allow the blood vessels at the back of the eye to be seen, which can cause the eyes to look reddish or violet, most people with albinism have blue eyes, and some have hazel or brown eyes.

What is the condition called when you have white hair?

Poliosis itself is simply a harmless lack of pigment in hair follicles, which causes them to become white or gray. The condition can exist from birth, or it can appear without warning at any age. While there is no need to be alarmed if poliosis appears, it is best to see a doctor if it does.

Can you have naturally white hair without being albino?

Changes in hair color typically occur naturally as people age, eventually turning the hair gray and then white. This is called achromotrichia. Achromotrichia normally begins in the early to mid-twenties in men and late twenties in women. More than 60 percent of Americans have some gray hair by age 40.

What condition is pale skin and hair?

Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA): Oculocutaneous (pronounced “ock-you-low-kew-TAIN-ee-us”) albinism is the most common type of albinism. People with OCA have extremely pale hair, skin and eyes. They typically also have vision problems. There are seven forms of OCA, and each affects your body in a slightly different way.

At what age does vitiligo start?

Vitiligo can start at any age, but usually appears before age 30. Depending on the type of vitiligo you have, it may affect: Nearly all skin surfaces.

How rare is a mallen streak?

Genetic poliosis

Waardenburg syndrome – a syndrome that affects 1 in 42,000 people, which manifests with deafness, severe constipation, joint problems and pigmentation conditions, such as hair poliosis [6].

What is achromotrichia?

: absence of pigment in the hair.

What is madarosis?

Madarosis is a terminology that refers to loss of eyebrows or eyelashes. This clinical sign occurs in various diseases ranging from local dermatological disorders to complex systemic diseases. Madarosis can be scarring or non-scarring depending upon the etiology.

What is tulip hair?

Tulip hair has a light-colored hair shaft and a distal dark tip owing to the oblique fracture of the distal end of the hair shaft, thus resembling a “tulip flower.” It is a nonspecific feature seen in alopecia areata, trichotillomania, etc [Figures 1a,b and 2a,b].[3]

What can be mistaken as vitiligo?

Here's a look at seven other skin conditions that are sometimes mistaken for vitiligo and how they differ from it.
  • Albinism. Masego Morulane/Getty Images; Canva. ...
  • Hansen's Disease (Leprosy) Adobe Stock. ...
  • Idiopathic Guttate Hypomelanosis (IGH) iStock. ...
  • Melasma. Duangjan J/Shutterstock. ...
  • Pityriasis Alba. ...
  • Scleroderma. ...
  • Tinea Versicolor.

At what age does pubic hair turn white?

In some individuals, the change in color of pubic hair may occur around the age of fifty, but it can happen earlier or later, depending on individual genetic predispositions and lifestyle factors.

What is the difference between poliosis and Piebaldism?

Piebaldism is an autosomal dominant disorder of melanocyte migration and development characterized by isolated congenital leukoderma (white skin) and poliosis (white hair) in a distinct ventral midline pattern.

What is the condition where you have pale skin and white hair?

Albinism is an inherited condition in which the body produces little or no melanin, the pigment that gives color to the skin and hair. It may cause very pale skin and hair. Albinism can affect anyone, but its prevalence varies by region. In sub-Saharan Africa, albinism affects 1 in every 2,000 to 5,000 people.

Is it okay to pluck white hair?

No, most experts agree that pulling out gray hair is an impulse best avoided. Though plucking white hairs may seem like a quick and easy solution to your haircare woes, repeated plucking can damage the hair follicle and potentially cause the hair to thin.

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.

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