Hair already half white at 20

[AshRyzE]

Not diagnosed.

Can anyone relate? Asthma and history of severe gi issues.

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

I'm somewhat similar - shortly before my first flare 7 years ago, I started noticing my first grey hairs. I was only 29 at the time. My mother didn't go grey until her late 40s and my dad is just now going grey in his early 60s, so 29 seemed too young for me to start going grey. Also, as my mother has gotten older, her hair went from stick-straight to wavy. My hair has also gone from straight to very wavy, but again, probably at least 20 years earlier than it should have if my parents are any indicator. I presume it's just another symptom or manifestation of my illness, particularly since the greys happened just before my other symptoms came along. I actually don't mind the waviness, either - my hair has always been quite flat and fine, so for it to have some wave, it actually looks better, I think.

Is there a history of hair going white prematurely in your family? I have a friend who went completely white/grey in her 20s, and she has no chronic illnesses. But her mother's hair was apparently exactly the same, went white in her 20s as well. My friend has made the best of it, her white hair has given her a blank palette on which to put fun dye colors. Her hair is currently a vivid shade of teal. I might try a streak of color once I go a bit more grey.

 

[AshRyzE]

No, I'm the only one. Apart from my brother, though my brother is younger and has the same digestive issues I have, he doesn't believe medicine could help him though so he refuses to see doctors.

I'm not diagnosed too and I actually suffer more from lung issues currently than from GI issues : here's the recent part of my story if you want : http://www.crohnsforum.com/showthread.php?t=78945

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

I'm technically undiagnosed myself (they think it's IBD and we've ruled out most everything else, and it responds to IBD meds, but they're not sure which type of IBD or exactly where it's located, etc) so I understand your frustration. I wish I had more answers for you. I presume you've had tests for IBD. Have they tried any IBD meds on you? Or at least meds for symptom relief while you're being diagnosed?

 

[Lizzie]

I went grey very young, long before my Crohns, but I have always suffered badly with anxiety and depression. I think there's evidence now that premature greying can be linked to stress, it's not just a myth (raised levels of cortisol etc are the cause), so maybe stress could also be the link with illness and grey hair?

 

[DEmberton]

Premature grey hair is one of the symptoms of a B12 deficiency.

I started going grey in my mid 30s, as did my mother and her brother so maybe it is just genetic. But now I'm 45 and still have a bit of a mix of black and grey; it doesn't seem to be accelerating. Perhaps it is because I'm healthier now. It stands to reason that deficiencies or general ill health could accelerate the decline.

 

[Pug Gamer]

I started getting white/grey hair when i was 21, which is when my crohns started. I do however have a uncle who was philip schofield grey by age 18! he has no medical problems. Maybe its in my genes lol. I also have random pure white eyelashes and eyebrows but they normally fall out easily. My natural hair colour is dark brown,so shows alot lol.

 

[AshRyzE]

No, I had no tests for IBD except blood tests. I was considered for colonoscopy but my asthma is really severe right now and I didn't have any GI issues recently so it is postponed until further notice.

I was never checked for B12.


I see that a lot of you have this premature graying issue, maybe there is something.

Thanks for your answers. And I wish the best to the one amongst you suffering of diseases currently.

 

[AshRyzE]

I presume you've had tests for IBD. Have they tried any IBD meds on you? Or at least meds for symptom relief while you're being diagnosed?

Actually I often take oral corticosteroids, pred for asthma. It's strange but I never had GI issues when I was taking pred for asthma.

 

[Tubes]

At about 22 I went for blondish light brown hair to dark black I'm sure it was from all the meds I was on at that time.