Guide To The Causes And Symptoms Of Kwashiorkor

Changes In Hair And Skin

Protein also plays an important part in forming healthy hair and skin. A kwashiorkor patient's hair tends to grow thin and may be dry, brittle, or loose. In some cases, the hair will lose its color, producing a bleached or rusty appearance. Skin can also lose color, and without enough protein, it becomes weak and easily irritated, leading to rashes and inflammation. This can cause the skin to peel away in flakes like old paint. These changes in hair and skin can be dangerous because they make it easier for germs to bypass the body's defenses, and kwashiorkor also weakens the immune system.

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