Hypertrichosis is excessive hair growth, which can be localized or generalized. It can be caused by genetics, medication, or endocrine disorders. While not dangerous, it can be socially undesirable. Treatment options include temporary measures like shaving and permanent options like laser hair removal.
Hypertrichosis is excessive hair growth. People with this condition may have localized hypertrichosis, in which one region of the body is unusually hairy, or a generalized form, with the entire body having more hair than usual. Different hair types can be involved and the hair can be unusually long as well as unusually dense. There are options available for treating hypertrichosis, although this condition is not dangerous and can be left untreated.
Documented cases of hypertrichosis date back to the Middle Ages, when doctors noted several cases involving unusually hairy individuals, both men and women. This condition is distinct from hirsutism, a condition seen in women and children in which male hair patterns appear including thick pubic hair, chest hair, and beards. People with hirssuitism develop an overgrowth of terminal hair, which is curly, dense, dark hair like that seen in the armpits.
Some people have congenital hypertrichosis caused by a genetic condition. Several families have a history of this condition and have been studied by researchers to learn more about the genes behind hypertrichosis. Most commonly, this condition is acquired. People can develop excessive body hair in response to certain medications as well as endocrine disorders and some other conditions. Changes in body hair patterns can be used as a diagnostic sign by doctors seeking explanations for a patient’s medical problem.
Sometimes referred to as “werewolf syndrome,” this condition is primarily a cosmetic problem, rather than a medical one. Having extra hair poses no risk to people, although it can be an indicator of an underlying health problem. People who seek treatment usually do so because they find excess hair socially undesirable. People with hypertrichosis tend to attract attention, especially if they are women, and in fact, historically, some people with the condition have used it to their advantage and performed at sideshows and circuses.
Short-term treatments may include shaving and applying depilatories to remove hair. The hair will grow back, but these measures can provide temporary relief. You can also use lasers and other permanent hair removal options to remove hair and prevent it from growing back. Hair removal can be expensive and painful, but once the hair removal sessions are completed, the patient will not experience a regrowth of hair growth. Some insurance companies will cover these procedures, on the grounds that excessive hair is a quality of life issue that can contribute to psychological issues for the patient.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
