Poliosis

Distinguish from poliomyelitis (a virus disease that attacks nerves and so causes paralysis).

Poliosis
Classification and external resources
Depigmentation of sections of skin and hair in 48-year-old man with vitiligo and poliosis.
ICD-10	L67.1 (ILDS L67.150)

Poliosis is the decrease or absence of melanin (or color) in head hair, eyebrows, or eyelashes. It can give rise to a "Mallen Streak" that can be hereditary. Catherine Cookson wrote a novel and later a TV series called The Mallen Streak, where a family had the condition. Sports presenter Dickie Davies was famous for this feature. People with Waardenburg syndrome usually present this symptom, as do 60% of patients with tuberous sclerosis.

This condition can cause white patches (singular or multiple - usually single) on the hair. Most people confuse these white patches as simple birth marks.