All About Marie Antoinette Syndrome (Canities Subita)
What is this Marie Antoinette Syndrome?
Marie Antoinette syndrome is a situation where someone’s hair suddenly turns white (canities). The name of this situation comes from folklore about the French queen Marie Antoinette, whose hair supposedly turned white before her execution in 1793.
The Truth Behind the Marie Antoinette Syndrome
The name of this situation comes from folklore about the French queen Marie Antoinette, whose hair supposedly turned white before her execution in 1793.
Signs Marie Antoinette Syndrome
Marie Antoinette syndrome is a condition by the sudden, somewhat inexplicable, and usually permanent whitening of hair on the head or another part of the body.
Some people had other symptoms at the time their hair suddenly went white, such as hair loss or patches of discoloration on their skin. A few of them were thought to have specific conditions, such as alopecia or vitiligo.
Cause of Marie Antoinette Syndrome
Marie Antoinette syndrome is caused by high levels of emotional stress, which causes less pigmentation of the hair.
Diagnosis
The characteristic feature of Marie Antoinette Syndrome is the sudden appearance of white hair, which may be obvious to both the patient and their doctor.
Treatment of Marie Antoinette Syndrome
Most adults will have some white hair by the time they reach middle age, but when a person starts to go gray and how much white hair they get will be unique to each individual.
When to see a doctor
Graying hair isn’t necessarily a health condition. If you notice premature grays, you can mention them to the doctor at your next physical.
