What Are the Causes of Men's Leg Hair Loss?

Most men experience hair growth all over the body, excluding the lips, palms and soles of the feet. While certain areas of the body may be more susceptible to hair loss than others, the problem can occur anywhere, including the legs.

Hormones

• A hormone imbalance can cause hair loss. Body hair grows because of DHT, a metabolite of the male hormone testosterone. A reduction in DHT levels may cause a reduction in body hair.

Drugs

• Loss of body hair in men can also be a side effect of drugs taken to combat illness. The clearest examples are those used in chemotherapy; these medications can cause a total loss of body hair. Steroids may affect hair growth as well.

Illness and Disease

• Leg hair loss may be a symptom of illness or a result of alopecia universalis (full-body alopecia). Skin conditions such as psoriasis, diseases such as diabetes or follicle infections can all contribute to the problem.

Friction

• Tight clothing and friction may cause hair loss too. Inner thighs may lose hair as they rub together, and socks may cause ankles to bald.

Poor Nutrition

• A lack of protein or iron in a man's diet can also contribute to the loss of body hair, particularly when it comes as a result of a crash diet or an eating disorder.

Stress or Trauma

• Traumatic events, stress or a sudden shock to the system can produce hair loss. This is known as telogen effluvium and can encompass both emotional and physical trauma. With this condition, however, hair can grow back.