Canities subita: sudden blanching of the hair in history and literature

Premature graying of hair (PGH) is defined as graying of hair before the age of 20 years in Caucasians and before 30 years in African American population. It can severely affect the self-esteem of an individual. The exact etiopathogenesis remains unknown, although it has been associated with premature aging disorders, atopy, and autoimmune diseases. Patients, who present with PGH, should be assessed for syndromes and metabolism diseases. Hair dyes remain the main modality of the treatment for cosmetic concerns after nutritional supplementation.

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“…Canities subita has been associated with vitiligo, telogen effluvium, and alopecia areata and psychogenic causes. [61626364]…”

Section: Differential Diagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Premature graying of hair: Review with updates

2018

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“…This phenomenon refers to the rapid whitening of hair over a short period 4,5 . One of the most famous records of this phenomenon is the case of the French Queen Marie Antoinette, who turned gray overnight at age 38, right before she was beheaded 6 . Therefore, this phenomenon is also known as Marie Antoinette syndrome 7 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…4,5 One of the most famous records of this phenomenon is the case of the French Queen Marie Antoinette, who turned gray overnight at age 38, right before she was beheaded. 6 Therefore, this phenomenon is also known as Marie Antoinette syndrome. 7 Apart from historical anecdotes, this phenomenon has also been reported in the scientific literature.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…7 Apart from historical anecdotes, this phenomenon has also been reported in the scientific literature. Tan et al 6,8 reported the case of an 82-year-old female patient whose hair suddenly turned white within a few days and who was diagnosed with diffuse AA. She tried topical betamethasone valerate for 6 weeks, but there was no improvement or deterioration.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Two case studies of persistent white hair regrowth after alopecia areata turning pigmented following treatment

Tian,

Liu,

Wang

et al. 2024

J of Cosmetic Dermatology

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BackgroundThere is a strong correlation between alopecia areata (AA) and the development of white hair. The AA presents itself in many clinical manifestations of depigmented hair as the condition advances. It is uncommon for unpigmented hair to extensively regrow for more than one hair growth cycle in AA and successful conversion to pigmented hair after treatment has not yet been reported.AimWe report two case studies involving the persistent regrowth of white hair after AA that became pigmented through treatment.PatientsIn the first case study, a 47‐year‐old woman with AA exhibited a fully regrown head of hair, which remained unpigmented. However, after 2 years of treatment with oral methylprednisolone and compound glycopyrrolate, her hair eventually regained its normal pigmentation. In the second case study, a 7‐year‐old boy with diffuse AA received compound glycyrrhizin (50 mg once daily) and methylprednisolone (4 mg orally once daily) for 3 years.ResultsThe both patients experienced regrowth of black hair on his entire head, with occasional white hairs. It is hypothesized that the aforementioned medications may regulate immunity by influencing melanocytes or melanin‐associated antigens; however, the precise mechanism must be validated through additional histopathological and molecular analysis.ConclusionA larger patient group, possibly in randomized controlled trials, is needed to determine how the indicated treatment affects hair repigmentation after AA. Therefore, more patients must be included for more substantial outcomes from this study.

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“…The phenomenon of night graying refers to the sudden whitening of the hair in a short period. This entity is known as a canities subita [1], and almost 200 cases have been reported to date. The English author of Utopia Sir Thomas More suffered a similar condition in 1535.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Canities Subita after Extreme Trauma Showing Positive Staining for Anti-PD-L1 Antibodies: A New Clue into Etiopathogenesis?

Navarro‐Triviño

Ruiz‐Villaverde

Ramos-Pleguezuelos

et al. 2021

Skin Appendage Disord

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Canities subita has been considered by some authors an acute episode of diffuse alopecia areata in which the sudden whitening is caused by the preferential loss of pigmented hair in this immune-mediated disorder. Clinically, the “salt and pepper” pattern of hair color is the most frequent manifestation of canities subita. However, the exact physiopathology of canities subita is not completely understood. A 69-year-old Caucasian man was referred for the sudden and asymptomatic whitening of the hair on the scalp and eyebrows, without an associated hair loss. The trigger was the death of his brother. Hair whitening appeared 24 h after the event. He reported a history of alopecia areata in plaques on the scalp, with spontaneous complete resolution in 2006. The physical examination showed full whitening hair on the scalp and eyebrows. Eyelashes were not affected. The pull test was negative, and the patient denied a significant hair loss in the last days. The histopathological study showed several follicle-sebaceous structures in the anagen, and one of them (inset) with a transforming hair bulb. The anterior bulb was surrounded by a lymphocytic inflammatory infiltrate in an advanced stage of transformation to the catagen and incipient scar changes. Immunohistochemistry staining showed a positive anti-PD-L1 antibody expressed in the inflammatory infiltrate. Based on the clinical and histological findings, a diagnosis of canities subita was made. The histopathological study showed a positive staining for anti-PD-L1 antibodies, supporting the role of the immune system in the development of this phenomenon. The interaction between melanogenesis and the lymphocytes warrants further research.

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Canities subita: sudden blanching of the hair in history and literature

Cited by 7 publications

References 6 publications

Premature graying of hair: Review with updates

Premature graying of hair: Review with updates

Two case studies of persistent white hair regrowth after alopecia areata turning pigmented following treatment

Canities Subita after Extreme Trauma Showing Positive Staining for Anti-PD-L1 Antibodies: A New Clue into Etiopathogenesis?

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