What your hair says about you
What your hair says about you
Dull and lifeless hair
If you’re not well, your hair is likely to suffer – it can become dull and lifeless because you’re not getting enough nutrients. So the state of your hair can be an early warning sign that something is wrong. A lack of vitamin A can lead to limp, dull hair – add more eggs and dairy foods to your diet.
Stress can also take its toll on your tresses. Try eating foods rich in B vitamins (oily fish, wholegrain cereals, peas, eggs and milk), as stress depletes your body (and your hair) of these.
But don’t forget that hair problems can also be due to overexposure to chemicals or heat from styling appliances.
Let your hair dry naturally, or stop using products and dyes for a while to see if that makes a difference.
Hair loss
Losing your hair may indicate greater problems than issues with your hair or scalp – it may be a sign of a condition that is affecting your general health.
Hair loss is quite common during and after pregnancy, as a result of hormonal fluctuations. It can also be due to anaemia and problems with your blood circulation.
Problems with your hair can be a clue that your thyroid isn’t working properly. If your thyroid is overactive, it can produce too much of the hormone thyroxine and this can cause your hair to fall out. An underactive thyroid can result in coarse, thinning hair.
Stress can also contribute to hair loss and is believed to be one of the causes of alopecia, a hair-loss condition that can leave you with bald patches or even complete hair loss.
- Nicky Pellegrino
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Over the Teacups
My four-year-old grandson was at the supermarket with his mother when he exclaimed, “You’re buying something, Mummy, auntie is buying something – I want to buy something!” Mum replied, “You have to be big, have a wife, have a job, then you can buy things.” He replied, “I have a wife – Maia,” meaning his four-year-old friend. Mum said, “What about a job?” Master Four replied, “My job is having a wife!”
Robyn, Whangarei
Water you want?
I was in the car and asking Master Three what he wanted for Christmas. He said he was going to ask Santa for a water pistol. “And Nanny,” he added, “I’m going to ask for some water for our paddling pool.” Now that could be interesting!
Julie, by email
Bee gone
Master Three had his first bee sting recently. The incident broke his heart, but after many cuddles he came right. Later he said, “I never want to see another bee again. I don’t like bees any more, I only like flies.”
Gaileen, by email
Fraud with worry
My daughter warned me that “old people are being taken for a ride,” and that I shouldn’t engage in conversation with phone sales people. To this, Master Five piped up, “Nana can’t go on that ride, she’s old.”
Joseph’s Nana, Hamilton
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