Can your hair turn white if you are nearly scared to death?

Question

Can your hair turn white if you are nearly scared to death?

Answer 1

No, this is an urban myth, prolonged exposure to stress may cause this.

Answer 2

Not sure if I believe it. Actually read a few stories about it while waiting to see a Doctor. He told me that in science there are no set rules for anything.

Answer 3

I tend to think it can't.Most Doctors agree.

Answer 4

i have heard it can it also can be come on by stress alot of it. soemtimes there are people this happens to i have heard it many times.

Answer 5

I don't know the scientific background. but a very famous Greek TV presenter had a lock of his hair turn white within a day after his son almost died.

Answer 6

yes, of course.  Why not.

Answer 7

yes or highly stressed

Answer 8

no, not instantly, something would have to strip all the pigmentation from your hair, and being scared wont do that, but stranger things have happened...

Answer 9

Yea...Wives tale really. Turned his hair white as a banshee. White hair is caused by genetics and stress....as is Grey.

Answer 10

No. No it can't.

Answer 11

Hair is dead, so any fright you experience wouldn't turn all hair white, just the new hair.

I've heard of such things happening, but this could easily just be an urban myth.

Answer 12

no you cannot it's only if you are turning old

Answer 13

Evidently it doesn't happen to everybody. I've had PTSD and panic attack for years..and mine hasn't turned white. I also should have ulcers from stress..but I don't . Go figure!!!

edit...Yes, I was nearly "scared to death"..when someone broke in on me & threatened to kill me. I use hair lightener...but the last time I saw my natural color it wasn't white..it was dark.

Answer 14

No. Hair is comprised mostly of keratin, similar to your finger nails. It is dead tissue, and can not change colour once it has emerged from your scalp.

However, shock, ill health, or similar conditions may cause hair to fall out and regrow grey or white.

Answer 15

No, that doesn't really happen.

Answer 16

It cant change to white instantly but sometimes if the shock is severe enough your hair can actually fall out and grow back white- without any pigment.

Answer 17

My grandfather went in to the hospital for surgery, when he came out 4 days later, nearly most of his hair had turned gray. Maybe its caused by stress on the body?

Answer 18

No. It is not possible. However, exposure to continuous mental stress for a long period can result in grey hair.

Answer 19

Yeah, lots of things can trigger it