Symptoms of premature greying

Premature greying is mainly a change in the colour of the hair. It rarely causes pain or discomfort.

Common signs

• Grey or white strands appearing in the teens, twenties or early thirties
• Greying that starts at the temples, the parting or the beard
• Strands that are coarser, drier or frizzier than pigmented hair
• Gradual increase in the number of grey hairs over years

Patterns that may point to a cause

• Sudden greying in a short time: needs review for a medical cause, such as a deficiency, thyroid or autoimmune problem
• Greying in patches with white skin patches: may be linked with vitiligo
• Greying with hair loss, brittle nails or dry skin: may suggest thyroid or nutritional causes
• Greying with tiredness, pale skin, tingling or poor memory: can suggest vitamin B12 deficiency or anaemia
• Greying in a child under about 10 years: needs a doctor's assessment
• White patch of hair at the front since birth: may be a birthmark of hair (poliosis) and needs a check for associated conditions

What is normal

Occasional grey hairs and a gradual change in the late twenties and thirties are common, especially with family history.

Ayurvedic view (interpretive)

Early greying is described traditionally as a sign of Pitta imbalance, sometimes with heat and fatigue. This is not a medical diagnosis.

When to get help

See a doctor if greying is sudden, widespread or comes with fatigue, hair loss, skin changes or weight change.

Remember

Greying alone is not dangerous. Look at the whole picture, including energy, skin and other symptoms.