Tag: Hair discoloration

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.

According to medical literature, the flag sign is a key clinical indicator of severe malnutrition. This phenomenon is most notably observed in kwashiorkor, a severe form of protein-energy malnutrition, where alternating light and dark bands appear along a child's hair shaft. This distinct pattern offers a visual timeline of a child’s nutritional history, representing intermittent periods of poor and sufficient protein intake.

According to the World Health Organization, protein-energy malnutrition, including kwashiorkor, affects millions of children globally. A hallmark of this severe protein deficiency is the striking and often diagnostic changes that appear on the skin and hair, reflecting the body's systemic response to nutritional deprivation.