Striped Hair

Green hair may be medically unimportant, but striped hair is not. Known as the FLAG SIGN, the striped hair is actually bands of discolored or depigmented hair. The stripes, usually blond, gray, or reddish, are often red flags for severe nutritional deficienceies, for example, of protein or iron. Although much more common in underdeveloped countries, the flag sign can be seen in children living in poverty throught the world.

striped hair can also signal Ulcerative Colitis or other conditions or events that deplete protein, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome or extensive bowel surgery. It might also be a telltale sign of the eating disorder Anorexia Nervosa, which depletes a person's protein supply.