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Hypertrichosis
Hypertrichosis is generally used to denote an increase in non-androgen dependent hair.
There are many types:
- congenital hypertrichosis lanuginosa
a rare generalization of lanugo hairs
- hypertrichosis lanuginosa acquisita
see separate discussion
- nevoid hypertrichosis
hypertrichosis in association with a smooth, muscle hamartoma, congenital nevus, Becker's nevus, or as a faun-tail associated with an underlying abnormality of the spine
- endocrine hypertrichosis
secondary to hypo- or hyperthyroidism
- metabolic hypertrichosis
secondary to porphyria, or malnutrition including that secondary to anorexia nervosa
- drug-induced hypertrichosis
secondary to steroids, dilantin, minoxidil, diazoxide, cyclosporine, streptomycin, penicillamine, and others
Treatment:
- Diagnose and treat the underlying cause, if possible.
- Increased hair itself responds to shaving, cream depilatories, plucking and, for permanent clearing, electrolysis. This latter therapy is rarely practical in the face of generalized hypertrichosis.
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