Anyone know what would cause a young person to have a patch of hair with no color in the scalpal region?

I'm 18 and have a patch of hair around my scalp that is completely white. The rest of my hair is normal colored just that particular area is white. It's been that way since I was in elementary school, probably 9-10 years. Anyone know what causes this? Is it some sort of disease or disorder? Is their anything I can do, besides dying it (which I do now) to make it the color of the rest of my hair?

Answer
The diagnosis is most likely a congenital nevus. The incidence of cancer in these types of lesions is only 5-6%. You will have to watch the nevus(mole) to make sure that there are no changes in color, itching, growth, burning, stinging etc. You cannot look at the mole every day and expect to see changes. you would need to follow the mole every 3-4 months. I see many of these types of lesions and it is very rare indeed that cancer develops.

Nothing you can do, it happens...I had a friend who was completely gray before the 7th grade...it's kinda like pigment discoloration...it's just there.

For me and my son, it's genetic. My doctor called it a war lock, as in a lock of hair that is devoid of any color. It varies in placement. I've seen people who look like skunks to people who just look like they have a highlight. We were born with it.

I think it's like a birthmark. John Hensen (Henson, sp?) who used to host "The Soup" on the E Network has a gray spot of hair too. It makes you unique.

It's genetic. You can always colour it if it bothers you. But I think it's nice to be unique =)

well .. such presentation could be tricky .. and u need to be sure that u don't have other complaints associatied denoting a specific disease .

but saying u r only having this one problem i did some research and think u only have a local form of hypopigmentation in this area due to problems in melanocytes ( cells responsible for darker colours ) it might be due to previous problem ( chemicals or infections or irradiation ...) but it might be congenital ..
and in this case it is not a serious problem .

The most benifical article i can give u is the following .

The only way to make sure if there is recent avaliable therpay through drugs.injections ,creams or laser .. u have to visit a dermatologist .. my advice that if u have no other symtoms to ignore it .. but still a dermatologist will give u the sure psychic relieve concerning the diagnosis and possible treatment .