What causes a streak of your hair to turn white?

I've heard that emotional and perhaps physical trauma can cause a streak of white to start growing from your natural hair color. Some people are born with it, too. What causes it? And what is the scientific name?

What causes a streak of your hair to turn white?

For some it could be vitiligo. Vit basically is a condition in which your own immune system attacks pigment cells in your body. Some people believe this is what Michael Jackson has. There isn't a clear reason as to why it happens or when, but some believe stress may contribute. Peroxide may also contribute, or some weird auto-immune response due to illness or disease. I have vit, but only in my more intimate areas. Some people, however, can get it on their face, hands, feet, and head. If there are hair folicles there, the hair will turn white (yep...initimate areas, but also on your head or anywhere else you have vit.)

What causes a streak of your hair to turn white?

I am not sure, though I have heard it is just a myth. I think it's both a premature condition and a result of emotional/physical trauma, thus the occurence of it from birth and in life.

What causes a streak of your hair to turn white?

Old age, yes, stress, if you are a bad smoker it tends to make you age quicker, so watch your health.