| |
Skin Disorders and Treatment
Acrochordons
Acanthosis Nigricans
Actinic keratosis
Allergic Contact Dermatitis
Alopecia Areata
Anal Warts
Angioma
Amoebiasis
Aphthous Ulcer
Athlete's Foot
Atopic Dermatitis
Baldness
Blackheads
Blue Nevi
Browen's Disease
Bullous Pemphigoid
Candidiasis
Cavernous Hemangioma
Cellulite
Chilblains
Chapped Lips
Cracked Heels
Cysts
Dandruff
Dark Circles
Dermatitis Herpetiformis
Dermatitis
Dermatofibroma
Dry Lips
Dyshidrotic Eczema
Eczema
Enlarged Pores
Epidermolysis Bullosa
Erythroderma
Eye Stye
Facial Rashes
Fibroadenoma
Flexural Psoriasis
Fordyce's Condition
Folliculitis
Freckles
Furunculosis
Genital Herpes
Granuloma Annulare
Grovers Disease
Hand Dermatitis
Heat Rash
Herpes Simplex
Herpes Zooster
Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Hirsutism
Hot Tub Folliculitis
Ichthyosis
Impetigo
Ingrown Toe Nail
Intertrigo
Keloid
Keratoacanthoma
Keratosis Pilaris
Leucoderma
Lichen Planus
Lichen Sclerosus
Lichen Simplex Chronicus
Lichen Straitus
Liver Spots
Lupus Erythematosus
Lymes Disease
Lymphomatoid Papulosis
Mastocytosis
Melasma
Morton's Neuroma
Mucocutaneous Candidiasis
Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum
Paget's Disease
Pemphigus Vulgaris
Pityriasis Versicolor
Pityriasis Rosea
Pruritis Ani
Shingles
Tinea Versicolor
Tinea Cruris
Venous Angioma
Vulvodynia
Xerosis
|
|
|
Hirsutism
Hirsutism is the medical term for excess hair on a woman. It can be described as a male pattern of hair growth or distribution on a female body i.e. in the moustache and beard areas, or occurring more thickly than usual on the limbs.
The basic problem in hirsutism is the excessive action of the male sex hormones, the androgens. An increased amount of androgens may be produced for many reasons, for instance, tumors of the ovaries may be responsible for this.
Most women with facial hair are classified in this familial or idiopathic category because no disease or underlying hormone imbalance is evident. This hair growth may start with one or two long hairs on the chin or upper lip, and if left alone, the number of heavier hairs increases at a consistent rate throughout the life of the individual. This familial hair growth may accelerate with hormonal changes of pregnancy, childbirth and menopause or during periods of emotional stress. Idiopathic hirsutism is probably hereditary, because there is usually a family history of the disorder. Secondary hirsutism is most often associated with polycystic ovary syndrome.
Hirsutism Causes
- Hirsutism can be caused by abnormally high levels of male hormones called androgens in females. Androgens are present in both men and women, but men have much higher levels.
- The skin disorder acne may also be the cause of hirsutism.
- Irregular menstrual periods may also lead to this disease.
- There are very obvious family and racial differences in hirsutism patients. If your mother or grandmother experienced the disorder, then you are at a greater risk of developing it.
- In some women, the skin is very sensitive to even low levels of androgens and their follicles produce primarily terminal hairs.
- Tumor or cancer of the adrenal gland may also be the reason.
- Some disease may also cause this problem such as polycystic ovary syndrome or Cushing's disease etc.
HirsutismSymptoms
A woman with the mildest form of hirsutism may notice significant growth of hair that is mature on the upper lip, chin, sideburn area, around the nipples or lower abdomen. The excess of thick, often dark, hair may be seen on the face, chest, abdomen and upper back. Women from certain ethnic groups tend to have more body hair than others and for them it may be quite normal to have some hair in these areas.
HirsutismTreatment
- There is no specific medication for hirsutism though certain medicines may be used for suppression of the production and secretion of androgens in the body. These include: gluco corticoids, spironolactone and certain birth control pills.
- Low-dose dexamethasone (a synthetic adrenocortical steroid), birth-control pills, or medications that suppress male hormones (for example, spironolactone) may be prescribed for patients whose condition stems from high androgen levels.
- Electrolysis or thermolysis may result in permanent hair loss but it takes time. A small probe is inserted along each hair, and a small electrical or heat discharge destroys the hair. A small area is treated every few weeks. It can be expensive if the area affected is extensive. Unskilled treatment may cause scarring.
- Laser hair removal uses a laser light to damage hair follicles so unwanted hair falls out. This also prevents the hair from growing back. You'll probably need multiple laser treatments over a number of weeks, and the results may not be permanent.
|
|
Skin Treatments