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Excessive hair

Author: A/Prof Amanda Oakley, Dermatologist, Hamilton, New Zealand, February 2016.


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Introduction

Excessive hair comprises two entities:

What is hirsutism?

Hirsutism is a male pattern of secondary or post-pubertal hair growth occurring in women. It arises in the moustache and beard areas at puberty when hair also appears in non-hirsute women in the underarm and pubic regions. Hirsute women may also develop thicker, longer hair than is usual on their limbs and trunk.

Hirsutism is also known as hirsutes.

Hirsutism

What is hypertrichosis?

Hypertrichosis is non-hirsute excessive hair growth over and above the normal for the age, sex and race of a male or female. It can refer to unpigmented vellus hair or darker, longer, terminal hair, and can be generalised or localised.

Hypertrichosis

Who gets hirsutism?

Which women are considered hirsute varies according to culture and ethnicity, as the normal range of secondary hair growth varies with race. It should also be noted that women spend a great deal of time and energy removing unwanted hair, resulting in an unnaturally hair-free norm in today’s society.

  • A hirsute pattern of hair growth is usually genetically determined, confirmed if male and female family members also have more hair than average.
  • Late-onset hirsutism may be due to hyperandrogenism, where there is an increase in circulating androgens including testosterone.

Hyperandrogenism is often associated with polycystic ovaries, insulin resistance and obesity. Rare causes include:

Who gets hypertrichosis?

Hair growth is genetically determined and highly variable. Hypertrichosis may be a subjective complaint of healthy individuals. Pathological hypertrichosis can be congenital or acquired.

Congenital hypertrichosis

Acquired hypertrichosis

Generalised acquired hypertrichosis may be associated with:

Localised acquired hypertrichosis may be associated with:

What causes hirsutism?

Different genes expressed in individual hair follicles vary in their response to androgens.

  • Hair follicles in the secondary hair growth sites are more sensitive to androgens than those in other areas.
  • Androgens alter mesenchyme-epithelial cell interactions, changing the duration of hair growth, dermal papilla size, and dermal papilla cell, keratinocyte and melanocyte activity.
  • Small vellus follicles producing tiny, virtually invisible hairs become larger intermediate and terminal follicles making bigger pigmented hairs.

What causes hypertrichosis?

Hypertrichosis is due to non-hormonal alteration in hair growth driven by genes and cytokines. Precise causes in an individual are often unknown.

What are the clinical features of hirsutism and hypertrichosis?

Hirsutism is usually first noted in late teenage years and tends to get more severe as the woman gets older. Hypertrichosis can be present at birth or appear at any time later on. Affected areas vary.

Hirsutism is usually isolated. It can involve a single site or multiple sites.

  • Facial hair: moustache, beard, eyebrows
  • Abdomen: a diamond shape of pubic hair extending to the umbilicus
  • Chest: around nipples or more extensive growth
  • Upper back
  • Inner thighs

The severity of hirsutism is assessed using a modified version of the Ferriman-Gallwey visual scale for nine areas of the body. The score varies from 0 (no hair) to 4 (extensive hair growth) in each area.

  • Total score < 8: normal hair growth
  • Total score 8–14: mild hirsutes
  • Total score ≥ 15: moderate to severe hirsutes

Ferriman-Gallwey visual scale for assessing hirsutism

General examination

A general examination may reveal clues as to the cause of hirsutism.

  • Acanthosis nigricans suggests insulin resistance.
  • Galactorrhoea suggests hyperprolactinaemia.
  • Purple striae, thin skin, bruising and facial plethora suggest Cushing syndrome.
  • Virilisation suggests hyperandrogenism. Signs include:
    • Deepening voice
    • Balding
    • Acne
    • A decrease in breast size
    • Enlargement of the clitoris
    • Increased muscle bulk.

Complications of hirsutism and hypertrichosis

People affected by excessive hair may suffer from great embarrassment with psychosocial effects. They may go to considerable lengths and expense to remove the hair.

Other complications can arise from underlying disease if any.

How are hirsutism and hypertrichosis diagnosed?

Hirsutism and hypertrichosis are diagnosed clinically. Investigations are not usually necessary unless the Ferriman-Gallwey score is > 15 when blood tests are done to evaluate male hormone levels and underlying diseases.

Free androgen index is total testosterone concentration divided by sex hormone binding globulin concentration and multiplied by 100. If elevated, check:

  • Dihydroxyepiandrosterone sulfate (elevated if androgen is of adrenal origin)
  • Androstenedione (elevated if androgen is of ovarian origin).

If early-onset of hirsutism, premature adrenarche, and family history of congenital adrenal hyperplasia:

  • 17-hydroxyprogesterone.

If Cushingoid features:

  • Urinary and serum cortisol or overnight dexamethasone test.

If menstrual disorder:

  • Luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
  • Prolactin.

If symptoms suggest poor general health:

  • Thyroid function
  • Glucose
  • Lipids (cholesterol and triglyceride)
  • Imaging, according to any symptoms.

If suspicious of polycystic ovaries:

  • Perform a pelvic examination
  • Abdominal/transvaginal ultrasound examination of the ovaries.

Diagnostic features for polycystic ovary syndrome are:

  1. Oligo/anovulation
  2. Clinical/biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism
  3. Presence of ≥ 12 follicles in each ovary, measuring 2–9 mm in diameter and increased ovarian volume (> 10 mL) on pelvic/transvaginal ultrasound (optional).

If there is skin fragility or blisters in sun-exposed sites:

  • Check urinary and faecal porphyrins.

If there is a faun tail:

  • Image the lower spine.

What is the treatment for hirsutism and hypertrichosis?

Bleaching makes the excessive hair less obvious.

Physical methods of hair removal

Hair removal (epilation and depilation) needs to be regularly repeated as the hair continues to grow back. Methods include:

Hair removal creams containing eflornithine are available on prescription in some countries.

Medical treatment of hirsutism

Some women with hirsutism may be treated with antiandrogens with variable response. This option is not useful in hypertrichosis. Drugs to consider include:

How can hirsutism and hypertrichosis be prevented?

It is not yet possible to prevent genetically predetermined excessive hair growth. Insulin resistance associated with obesity can be reduced by weight loss and dietary control.

What is the outlook for hirsutism and hypertrichosis?

Prognosis depends on the cause. The most common types of excessive hair growth persist life-long. Hirsutism tends to be more pronounced with age.

 

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