Unusual Hair Growth

Since it is dependent on so many different factors, hair growth can be a good indicator of overall health. This is especially true when the growth time, pattern or density becomes abnormal.

Hirsuitism

• This fairly common condition can be recognized by excess growth of androgen-dependent hair, such as that found on the chest, legs, arms, face and pubic area.

Hypertrichosis

• This condition is similar to hirsuitism, but involves the rapid growth of all hair, whether it is androgen-dependent or not.

Excess Facial Hair

• This condition can be caused by Cushing's syndrome, the use of anabolic steroids and the congenital gland disorder adrenal hyperplasia.

Balding

• The loss of normal scalp hair can be caused by excessive washing or blow-drying, obsessive hair pulling, sustained high fever, childbirth or the normal decline of androgens that accompany aging.

Medications

• Excess hair growth can be caused by certain hypertension (blood pressure) medications, particularly beta blockers, ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers.