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HEALTH FAMILY PROBLEMS RELATIONSHIPS EDUCATION & CAREER Dear What’s the Problem I am 21 years old. My problem is that the hair on the left hand side of the front of my head has started going white. I first noticed it when I was 18. Some friends say it is because I am ageing quickly while others say it is because I think too much. Sammy, Ghana. Advice: Nikke Ariff (Indian Head Massage Specialist) Eighteen is very young to be going grey and there could be a number of reasons for this. There might be a genetic tendency to this in your family, in which case there is nothing you can do. Some diseases, such as thyroid problems, diabetes or some forms of anaemia, can cause premature greying. My first suggestion would be, go and see a medical doctor to find out if there is a medical reason for this. Stress can also be a factor. One solution to this could be massage. It’s best to get someone else to do it for you because it is much more relaxing and the healing power of touch is much more effective. There are so many nerve endings in our scalp which can carry a lot of tension, and massage can be very effective in releasing this. The What's the Problem? website is providing general information only. It should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. The BBC is not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based on the content of the What's the Problem? website. Always consult your own GP if you're in any way concerned about your health.		FURTHER INFORMATION   *Hair is the fastest growing tissue in the body. *The average scalp has 100,000 hairs. *90% of scalp hairs are growing and 10% are resting. *It is normal to lose 100 hairs per day from the scalp. *You must lose over 50% of your scalp hairs before it is apparent to anyone. *Thyroid imbalance and iron deficiency are reversible causes for hair loss.    INTERNET LINKS Why does hair go grey?   Premature greying of hair   The BBC is not responsible for the content of external Internet sites