Hypertrichosis is an uncommon illness that affects approximately one in every 340 million people. Only 50 people worldwide have hypertrichosis, according to this ratio. The reasons for this condition, its signs and symptoms, and available treatments are explained in this article.
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What is hypertrichosis?
Is a disorder marked by excessive hair development in any body area. Unusual hair growth brought on by hypertrichosis may not always be androgen-dependent. Additionally, the hair growth rate is excessive compared to people of the same sex, age, and race.
In contrast to hirsutism, which primarily affects females, is entirely different. In hirsutism, females exhibit excessive hair development with a masculine pattern distribution in androgen-dependent regions. Inborn hypertrichosis and late-life development are also possibilities.
Werewolf syndrome is another name for this illness. According to specialists, is primarily brought on by genetic mutation and is unrelated to male hormones. People with this condition frequently experience mental stress as a result of shame.
History
During the 17th century, Aldrovandus recorded the first instance of this condition. In 1948, he determined that Petrus Gonzales had hypertrichosis. Petrus Gonzales, his family, and their daughters, who had hypertrichosis, were sent to France from the Canary Islands. Scientists discovered a few more examples of this condition throughout the following 300 years.
Numerous researchers studied this uncommon condition. Which eventually underwent various name changes. Such as hypertrichosis Universalis, ambras syndrome, hypertrichosis of the dog-men, or werewolf syndrome.
Why Does Occur?
Either acquired or inherited is possible. Congenital, which affects newborns from birth, is primarily brought on by gene mutation. Experts believe that the ape-man had particular genes that led to abundant body hair. With the passage of time and evolution, these genes vanished. Congenital is caused when these genes resurface in rare instances. Experts contend that abnormal stimulation of follicles occurs in the absence of high androgen levels.
Acquired hypertrichosis can occur at any moment throughout life, and the primary causes include:
- Malnutrition
- Disordered eating
- Cancer
- Medications that promote hair growth, such as minoxidil or androgenic steroids
Signs and Symptoms
Excessive hair growth is the most typical sign. Excessive hair growth is the most typical symptom of all types of this condition. However, individuals with various types of hair growth, such as a terminal, lanugo, or vellous hairs, may have varying hair densities.
Lanugo
Long, unmedullated hairs are referred to as lanugo. This kind of hair lacks pigment and is incredibly silky. It doesn’t stand out against the skin. On a newborn’s skin, lanugo is noticeable. Usually, it disappears on its own after some time. Lanugo, however, does not go away in cases of hypertrichosis and requires medical attention.
Vellous
Vellus hairs are unmedullated, silky, and pale in color. The face of a newborn typically has this kind of hair. Hair follicles on vellus hairs are short.
Terminal Hairs
These follicle-produced hairs have an extremely dense appearance. The pigment in terminal follicles gives them their dark color. Depending on the region, hair length may differ.
The following are additional signs and symptoms of this condition:
- Extra-large gums
- Missing teeth
- Intellective delay
- Epilepsy
- Malformed characteristics
- Eye, bone, heart, and kidney abnormalities
Types
There are two primary forms of hypertrichosis: congenital and acquired. Based on where the abundant hair grows, acquired and congenital hypertrichosis are further split into subgroups.
Congenital hypertrichosis: Is brought on by genetic abnormalities that take place during pregnancy. Among the congenital hypertrichosis subtypes are:
Hypertrichosis Lanuginosa: The existence of fine, unpigmented hair that is evident from birth serves as a defining characteristic. All body parts have hair, except for the mucous membranes, lips, soles, and palms.
Hypertrichosis terminalis: This kind has unnaturally dense, thick, and dark hair growth throughout the entire body.
Localized Hypertrichosis: This kind manifests abnormal hair development in particular body regions.
Circumscribed Hypertrichosis: This disorder is distinguished by rapid hair growth that exclusively affects the upper body.
Nevoid Hypertrichosis: This manifests as spots of hair growth at certain body locations, much like localized hypertrichosis.
Acquired Hypertrichosis
Acquired hypertrichosis manifests itself later in life. It might be brought on by specific illnesses or elements like a poor diet or using certain medications. The subtypes of acquired hypertrichosis include patterned hair growth, generalized hypertrichosis, and hypertrichosis lanuginosa.
Hirsutism
A kind of hypertrichosis known as hirsutism is characterized by excessive hair development. Nevertheless, it solely affects women and is wholly androgen dependent. It demonstrates excessive hair development with a masculine pattern in places like the chin and upper lip, where women are not likely to develop hair in a typical situation.
Should You Visit a Physician?
Excessive hair is not a clinical emergency in and of itself. It can simply be a body feature if you’re a man. For some ladies, having too much hair may likewise be a characteristic of their natural form. However, it can be a symptom of a deeper medical issue. If the hair worries you, talk to your doctor. They’ll assist in determining whether it’s connected to a medical issue.
Options for Treatment
There is currently no permanent treatment for congenital hypertrichosis because of its genetic cause. Because acquired this condition is brought on by outside factors such as an eating disorder or pharmaceutical use, experts can stop it by changing one’s lifestyle or using medications.
You can use some permanent or temporary hair removal techniques to address congenital hypertrichosis-related hair growth. The following approaches can be used to treat excess hair in this condition.
Temporary Hair Extraction Procedures
Unwanted hair can be removed using plucking, waxing, shaving, or depilation. Skin bleaches can hide hair that is fine or not pigmented. However, these techniques only temporarily remove hair and may need to be repeated frequently. These techniques might not be practical to utilize in some body areas. Regular hair pulling or threading can also irritate and hurt the skin.
Conclusion
The treatment for the patients depends on the underlying reason. Poor cosmesis affects people with hereditary illnesses for the rest of their lives because there is no remedy. Once the underlying illness is cured or the offending medicine is stopped, the results for people with acquired this condition are favorable.