Tag: Flag sign

According to scientific studies, a progressive decrease in total melanin content is associated with periods of malnutrition. While not the same as natural blonde hair, severe nutritional deficiencies can indeed cause hypopigmentation, or a lightening of the hair, leading to a blonde or reddish tint.

Kwashiorkor, a severe form of protein malnutrition, is characterized by several distinct symptoms, including dramatic changes to hair. A person suffering from this condition may experience noticeable alterations in hair color, texture, and density due to the body's profound lack of essential proteins. These visible hair changes are often a key diagnostic indicator of the underlying health crisis.

First documented as a trichoscopic feature of alopecia areata regrowth, the 'flag hair disease' or 'flag sign' refers to alternating bands of color along a hair shaft. This distinctive visible marker can indicate a history of medical or nutritional stress, providing a unique diagnostic clue for dermatologists.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), malnutrition affects people in every country, and nearly half of deaths among children under 5 are linked to undernutrition. This severe undernutrition can manifest in many ways, including the visible sign known as flag hair malnutrition, which signals periods of nutritional stress.

According to the World Health Organization, severe malnutrition affects millions of children globally. A tell-tale sign of one form, kwashiorkor, is the characteristic red hair in kwashiorkor, caused by a profound lack of essential nutrients that disrupt the body's melanin production.