Abstract
Healthy-appearing hair is a sign of excellent general health, as well as good hair
care practices. Most healthy individuals have adequate nutrients in their diet; however,
many people do not have access to good nutrition, and others have medical illnesses
that predispose them to nutritional deficiency. This is often reflected in changes
of scalp and, at times, body hair. Malnutrition, congenital heart disease, neuromuscular
disease, chronic illnesses, malignancy, alcoholism, and advanced age can cause hair
to change color, be weakened, or lost. Recognition of the populations at risk for
vitamin deficiency is the first step to their detection. Changes in skin and hair
can provide clues to the presence of an underlying vitamin deficiency.
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