Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: barbieo95 on 09/04/2009 14:19:56

Title: Why does hair go grey in patches?
Post by: barbieo95 on 09/04/2009 14:19:56

So my husband just turned 33 and he has been going grey for a little while now.  The odd thing about it is that his grey is coming in in spots, like a Dalmatian.  It's really bizarre and most folks think he just has paint in his hair or is just Emo.  Overall, he isn't really concerned...as he said, at least he is not loosing it, but we are curious as to why it would be coming in spotted as such; is there an underlying condition?  He is most concerned now that the greying spots will fall out.  Has anyone ever seen or heard of anything like this before...any explanation?  I've tried to research on-line, but find nothing about greying hair patterns.  Thanks!!

Title: Re: Why does hair go grey in patches?
Post by: Don_1 on 09/04/2009 14:48:14

Can you post a picture?

We could all do with a good laugh!

Seriously, I doubt there is anything to be concerned about. It's just an unfortunate pattern in the natural loss of colouration I should think.

Title: Re: Why does hair go grey in patches?
Post by: Chemistry4me on 09/04/2009 14:52:08

I believe it would have something to do with the production of melanin.

Title: Re: Why does hair go grey in patches?
Post by: RD on 09/04/2009 15:31:30

Quote from: barbieo95 on 09/04/2009 14:19:56

So my husband just turned 33 and he has been going grey for a little while now.  The odd thing about it is that his grey is coming in in spots, like a Dalmatian. ... Has anyone ever seen or heard of anything like this before...any explanation? 

If the hair is white it could be Poliosis (http://stanford.wellsphere.com/singleSearch.s?wellpage=true&entityType=PERSON_GROUP_PHOTO&searchLocation=&searchString=Causes+Of+Poliosis&pageIndex=0&targetPhotoId=11807) from Vitiligo (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitiligo#Signs), if his hair is falling out in patches (spots) could be alopecia areata (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alopecia_areata).

Title: Re: Why does hair go grey in patches?
Post by: barbieo95 on 10/04/2009 14:20:36

Ok...got some pictures for y'all; unfortunately the grey doesn't show up in the pics as much as it really does.  It is quite interesting to say the least!  Hope the pictures come thru ok!

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi39.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fe158%2Fbarbieo95%2FIMG_0672.jpg&hash=8e97ccb3281e70a43564852b4fe5795a)
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi39.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fe158%2Fbarbieo95%2FIMG_0676.jpg&hash=dca47742cd786126a117512082a412f7)

I guess the spots are quite a hit under a black light  [;D]