Hypertrichosis
The content of the article:
- Causes and risk factors
- Forms of the disease
- Symptoms
- Diagnostics
- Treatment
- Possible complications and consequences
- Forecast
- Prevention
Hypertrichosis is excessive local or general growth of dark and long hair anywhere on the body. The disease can be congenital and acquired.
The tenth international classification of diseases (ICD-10) refers to hypertrichosis as hirsutism. These two diseases are manifested by pathological hair growth, often arising under the influence of the same factors. However, there are certain differences between them, which allows us to consider each of them as an independent nosological form.
Hirsutism occurs only in women. Pathological hair growth is observed in androgen-dependent areas of the body (on the face, chest, back, buttocks), that is, it follows the male pattern. Hypertrichosis affects people of both sexes and any age, and hair growth is observed in absolutely any part of the body.
Hypertrichosis is the overgrowth of dark and long hair in various areas of the body
Causes and risk factors
Most often, genetic mutations lead to the development of hypertrichosis. Under their influence, the transformation of epithelial cells into epidermal ones occurs. Various negative factors affecting the body of a pregnant woman can provoke a gene mutation. These include:
- ionizing radiation;
- some infectious diseases (influenza, rubella, cytomegalovirus);
- the use of alcoholic beverages, drugs;
- smoking;
- the use of drugs with a teratogenic effect.
Once a mutation has occurred, it is fixed in the human genome and becomes capable of causing the development of hypertrichosis in subsequent generations. This makes it possible to classify congenital hypertrichosis as a genetic disease.
Hypertrichosis often precedes the formation of a malignant tumor
The results of scientific research have shown that in 90% of cases, hypertrichosis precedes the formation of malignant neoplasms. Scientists explain this fact by the fact that in the period preceding the start of the oncological process, certain hormonal and biochemical changes occur in the human body at the cellular level, which activate the activity of hair follicles.
Other reasons for the development of hypertrichosis are:
- long-term treatment with corticosteroids, penicillins, cephalosporins, streptomycins, psoralen;
- traumatic brain injury;
- epidermolysis bullosa;
- dermatomycosis;
- anorexia nervosa;
- nervous exhaustion;
- skin injuries;
- systematic pulling out of vellus hair;
- some mental illness;
- congenital malformations of the skeletal system (in particular, splitting of the vertebral arch);
- diabetes;
- alcoholism;
- tuberculosis.
Forms of the disease
Depending on the cause of the occurrence, there are:
- congenital hypertrichosis;
- acquired hypertrichosis.
Congenital hypertrichosis can be local (affects a small area of the body) or universal. In the latter case, almost the entire surface of the child's body is covered with hair.
Acquired hypertrichosis also comes in several forms:
- Cannon hypertrichosis. It is characterized by the rapid growth of embryonic hair. In a few months, they can reach a length of 10-15 cm. Hair covers the entire surface of the human body, with the exception of the palms and soles. This form of the disease in 98% of cases is a harbinger of malignant tumors of the gall or urinary bladder, uterus, large intestine, mammary glands, lungs.
- Traumatic hypertrichosis. Pathological hair growth occurs in the area of scars, in the area of prolonged skin irritation with plaster casts, ointments, epilation, etc.
- Medicinal hypertrichosis. It is observed as a side effect of long-term use of certain drugs.
- Neurogenic hypertrichosis. Caused by damage to the spinal cord or peripheral nerves.
- Symptomatic hypertrichosis. It appears as one of the symptoms of a number of pathologies (for example, tuberculosis, diabetes mellitus, neurofibromatosis, trauma to the central nervous system).
Symptoms
Congenital local hypertrichosis is characterized by the appearance of a hairy pigmented birthmark or "fawn's tuft" (a tuft of long hair in the sacrum region).
Universal congenital hypertrichosis can manifest itself both from the birth of a child and somewhat later (upon reaching 2–7 years). With him, the whole body is covered with long fluffy hair.
Hypertrichosis in a woman
The acquired forms of hypertrichosis are mainly local in nature and are manifested by the appearance of a pathological zone of hair growth in a particular area of the skin. The only exception is acquired cannon hypertrichosis, which covers the entire surface of the body.
Diagnostics
The clinical manifestations of hypertrichosis make it possible to make a diagnosis without difficulty. It is much more difficult to identify the cause.
If excessive hair growth occurs in newborns or children in the first years of life, it is necessary to conduct medical genetic counseling.
With acquired hypertrichosis, the patient is consulted by a dermatologist, endocrinologist, gynecologist, andrologist. A blood test is carried out for hormonal status, which allows differential diagnosis of hypertrichosis with hirsutism.
A blood test allows you to differentiate hypertrichosis from other diseases
Treatment
Etiotropic treatment consists in the treatment of the disease that led to the development of hypertrichosis.
Symptomatic treatment for hypertrichosis is hair removal with electrical depilation. Depending on the patient's pain threshold, the procedure can be performed under local anesthesia or without it. A special needle is inserted into the hair follicle, through which an electric charge is then supplied. As a result, the hair follicle is destroyed and the hair falls out easily on its own. An electrolysis session lasts no more than 30 minutes. This method allows you to completely relieve the patient of the visible manifestations of hypertrichosis.
The disadvantages of electric depilation are the painfulness of the technique, as well as the duration of the course of treatment. For example, to eliminate chin hypertrichosis, at least 60 procedures are required throughout the year.
Electric depilation allows you to cope with hypertrichosis
Electric depilation is contraindicated for children and adolescents. Correction of hypertrichosis in patients of these age groups is carried out using chemical depilation using special creams. Also, the hairs become discolored by regularly wiping them with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.
Possible complications and consequences
Hypertrichosis, especially located on the face or open areas of the body, often leads to severe psychological problems in patients. In the absence of treatment, the problematic condition is aggravated and becomes the cause of persistent depressive conditions.
Forecast
With hypertrichosis, the prognosis for life is favorable.
Prevention
If one of the spouses suffers from hypertrichosis or cases of this pathology have been observed in close relatives, it is recommended for a married couple to undergo medical genetic counseling at the stage of pregnancy planning.
To prevent congenital hypertrichosis, a pregnant woman should avoid exposure to adverse factors and be under medical supervision.
Prevention of acquired hypertrichosis consists in the timely detection and active treatment of diseases that can lead to excessive hair growth.
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Elena Minkina Doctor anesthesiologist-resuscitator About the author
Education: graduated from the Tashkent State Medical Institute, specializing in general medicine in 1991. Repeatedly passed refresher courses.
Work experience: anesthesiologist-resuscitator of the city maternity complex, resuscitator of the hemodialysis department.
The information is generalized and provided for informational purposes only. At the first sign of illness, see your doctor. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
