Poliosis (also called poliosis circumscripta), is the decrease or absence of melanin (or colour) in head hair, eyebrows, eyelashes or any other hairy area. It is popularly known as white forelock when it affects hair directly above the forehead. This condition can cause single or, less commonly, multiple white patches on the hair. Some mistake these white patches for simple birth marks. In poliosis there is decreased or absent melanin in the hair bulbs of affected hair follicles; the melanocytes of the skin are usually not affected. Associated medical conditions
Poliosis occurs in several genetic syndromes such as piebaldism, Waardenburg syndrome, neurofibromatosis type I, and tuberous sclerosis. It can also occur in conditions such as vitiligo, Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada disease, alopecia areata, sarcoidosis, and in association with neoplasms and some medications. Popular culture
It is sometimes called a Mallen streak, after a fictional family with hereditary poliosis. The Mallen family featured in a sequence of novels by Catherine Cookson, of which The Mallen Streak was the first. She later adapted them into a TV series called The Mallens.Sports presenter Dickie Davies, runner Sam Brown, punk singer Dave Vanian, and fashion expert Stacy London are also known for their Mallen streaks.During his tenure as the host of Talk Soup, host John Henson repeatedly referred to his own poliosis as a "skunk spot".In DC Comics one of Batmans Robins, Jason Todd, is sometimes portrayed with a white forelock.In Marvel Comics, the X-Men member Rogue has a prominent Mallen streak which is a consistent visual trademark of the character.
Ironically, the characters son Fundy is often portrayed with the same natural poliosis as his actor.In the web series Sanders Sides, the character Remus Sanders (the embodiment of Dark Creativity) has a white forelock. References


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