Reasons for gray hair and why it itches when it appears

 

Reasons for Graying Hair

 

1) Stress

 

It is natural that stress, the root cause of many illnesses, also harms hair health. Stress that promotes adrenaline secretion constricts the blood vessels in the scalp and blocks nutrient supply. As a result, the amount of melanin, which should normally be secreted, decreases, leading to an increase in white hair instead of black hair. If you tend to feel heat in your head when stressed, you may notice a lot of white hair appearing on the crown area. Since forcibly pulling out white hairs can potentially lead to hair loss, it is advisable to be cautious.

 

2) Diet

 

Overly restrictive dieting blocks the secretion of essential hormones that our bodies need and fails to supply nutrients in a timely manner, leading to nutritional imbalances, as any <Allure> reader would know. Dieting, like stress, is said to reduce melanin pigment, causing an increase in gray hair. This is also why gray hair has become more common among young people from their teens to twenties. A decrease in melanin pigment caused by stress or dieting can be reversed with proper nutrient intake, so there's no need to worry too much, as black hair can grow back well.

 

3) Diabetes

 

If none of the above cases apply but you have recently experienced a sudden increase in white hair, consider the possibility of diabetes. When diabetes causes problems, blood circulation becomes inefficient, disrupting melanocyte function. In addition to diabetes, thyroid disorders (hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism), anemia, or vitiligo can also lead to a significant increase in white hair. These diseases we can suspect are actually directly related to the reasons why white hair may cause itching.

 

Why does the scalp itch when you have white hair?

 

There are various reasons why your hair might itch when it turns gray, but it could also be because melanin pigment is no longer being produced, as explained above.

 

As melanin pigment diminishes, the body naturally produces a substance called 'cytokine,' which can be easily understood as an immune signaling molecule that recognizes internal changes in the body, controlling and stimulating the defense system. As these immune cells develop, itching occurs even before white hair appears.

 

Another reason is that the scalp becomes very dry or lacks proper nourishment. When stress is combined with a sensation of heat in the scalp, it is natural for the skin to become dry.

 

So, how can we relieve itching?

 

The simplest self-care method you can do at home is to use a shampoo suitable for your scalp type. Additionally, it is important to massage your scalp thoroughly while shampooing to ensure that good nutrients are delivered to the scalp.

 

When you find white hair again, do not pull it out; instead, cut it with scissors, as this prevents the formation of 'cytokine' components, making it less itchy.

 

It is also important to regularly consume foods that facilitate melanin production. Don't forget to include foods rich in minerals such as iron and zinc, like black beans, tofu, avocados, sesame seeds, and kelp.