Hypotrichosis is a condition whereby hair grows on any part of your body. This condition is also referred to as Werewolf syndrome and usually affects both men and women. Hypotrichosis is generally rare, though. This hair growth can cover your face and your body and can as well come in tiny patches. This condition can appear at birth, or you can get it as you grow up.
Hypotrichosis Types
Hypotrichosis come in different types, and these include;
Congenital Hypotrichosis Lanuginosa
This type first comes as Lanugo. These are the first hair found in a baby when born. The hair does not then disappear during the subsequent weeks. These soft hairs will then continue to grow in several parts of the child.
Congenital Hypotrichosis Terminalis
This is whereby the abnormal hair starts growing at birth and will then continue as you grow. The hair is usually long and thick and will cover the whole face and body.
Nevoid Hypertrichosis
This type causes excessive hair growth of any hair that comes in any site in your body. In rare cases, several patches are available.
Hirsutism
This type of hypotrichosis mainly affects women. It is caused by dark thick hair that is growing in places where women lack hair. These areas are the face, chest, and back.
Acquired Hypertrichosis
This condition comes later in life. It is the same as congenital hypotrichosis and can come in small patches or over the entire body.
Causes of Hypotrichosis
There are several assumptions regarding the causes of hypertrichosis. This condition can be hereditary. It seems like genes cause it, and this makes the hair to be acting abnormally. These genes that made hair grow abnormally in early days are now not active because people do not require hair to keep warm. People who have congenital hypotrichosis get their genes reactivated in the womb. Therefore, there is still no known cause of this condition. But, the acquired hypotrichosis, which comes later in life, has some possible reasons. These causes are;
· Malnutrition
· It might be as a result of a poor diet or a specific eating disorder like anorexia nervosa.
· This condition might result from some drugs and medications like hair growth drugs, some immunosuppressants, and androgenic steroids.
· Cancer and cell mutation might cause this condition.
· Autoimmune and infectious diseases that affect the skin might result in hypotrichosis.
Sometimes if you have a condition called porphyria cutanea tarda, it might cause hypotrichosis because the state makes your skin severely sensitive to ultraviolet light. The hypotrichosis condition happens in any part of your body. It might result from chronic skin diseases like lichen simplex, which comes with repeated rashes, itching, and scratching on a specific amount of your skin. Hypotrichosis can also be a result of increased blood flow in one particular area of your body.
Symptoms of Hypotrichosis
The main symptom of hypotrichosis is that the available hair is more than is always for your age, race, and sex. The hair might also grow in unusual parts of your body. The hair produced by this condition is usually not the same. This condition can make three types of hair, and these are;
Lanugo
Lanugo hair is usually long, thin, and very soft. This hair resembles the body of a newborn. These hairs typically do not have pigments and will fall out after a few weeks. But if you have Lanugo, your hair will not fall few weeks after birth. These hairs will remain until you have treated them.
Vellus
The vellus hair is usually short, soft, and has fainty pigments. These hairs typically appear all over your body. It will only leave the areas where there are no hair follicles. These areas are the mucus membrane, the feet soles, and your palms.
Terminal
The terminal is the darkest type of hypotrichosis hair. These hairs are usually thick, coarse, and long. Hormones generally cause hair, and you can find them on the armpits, face, and groin. These symptoms typically increase as you grow old.
Treating Hypotrichosis
This condition does not have a cure, and you cannot prevent it. You can lower the risk of getting acquired hypotrichosis by avoiding certain medications like minoxidil. You can treat hypotrichosis using the following temporary methods;
Shaving
Chemical epilation
You can start waxing
You can pluck your hair
Hair bleaching is another quick way
These methods are all temporary and can also cause pain or some irritation. If you want ways that last long, you can try electrolysis or laser surgery.
Conclusion
Hypotrichosis might also be a result of other underlying medical conditions. This will, however, depend on the type of hypotrichosis. If there is a history of hypotrichosis in your family, make sure to talk to your doctor because hypotrichosis is hereditary.
About the Guest Author:
Naman Modi is a Professional Blogger, SEO Expert & Guest blogger at beverlyhillshr.com, He is an Award-Winning Freelancer & Web Entrepreneur helping new entrepreneur’s launches their first successful online business.
