Hirsutism

Hirsutism is defined as excessive and increased hair growth in women in locations where the occurrence of terminal hair normally is minimal or absent. This hair may grow on the chin, upper lip, side of the face, breasts, stomach and thighs. It refers to a male pattern of body hair ( androgenic hair ) and it is therefore primarily of cosmetic and psychological concern. For example, whites as a group have more facial and nonscalp hair growth than do blacks or Asians, and white women of Mediterranean heritage normally have more hair growth than do women from Nordic countries. Androgens are the dominant sex hormones in men. Women normally have low levels of androgens, but abnormally high levels of androgens can lead to excess hair growth. These include some medicines to treat nausea, schizophrenia, agitation, epileptic seizures, migraine headaches, bipolar disorder, aggression and high blood pressure, as well as estrogens and opiate medications. This growth is caused by male hormones (androgens). Occasionally, the overproduction of androgen hormones is caused by an abnormality in the ovaries, the adrenal glands or the pituitary gland of the brain. The most powerful of these male hormones is testosterone. All women normally have a certain level male hormones circulating in their blood.

Hirsutism affects 5-10% of all women and a much higher percentage of women with PCOS . Generally, it refers to hair growth that mimics hair growth normal in men. This thick, dark hair is different from the hair that some women have on their upper lip, chin, breasts or stomach, or the fine "baby" hair all over their body. Excess hair growth may be present in both the female and male family members. Hirsutism usually begins around puberty, but mild hirsutism can start at any age. Most women gradually develop more facial or body hair with age. When a woman has a lot of hair on the calf of the leg, it would be called hypertrichosis and not hirsutism. Hirsutism is usually caused by an increased sensitivity of the skin to a group of hormones called androgens (testosterone and androstenedione) or increased production of these hormones. Hyperandrogenism is increased levels of male hormone production in women. A doctor can do some tests to see if this is caused by a treatable condition. Others tests such as 17-hydroxyprogesterone, prolactin, T4, TSH, breast exam, and an endometrial biopsy may be indicated Treatments for hyperandrogenism include oral contraceptives, spironolactone and flutamide. A prescription cream that stops facial hair growth, Vaniqa (pronounced Van-ih-KA) is also available.

Causes of Hirsutism

The common causes and risk factor's of Hirsutism include the following:

Idiopathic hirsutism.
Hair follicles that are overly sensitive to male hormones.
Some medicines can cause hirsutism. These medicines include birth control pills, hormones and anabolic steroids.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Tumor or cancer of the ovary.
Hirsutism can be caused by abnormally high levels of male hormones (called androgens).

Symptoms of Hirsutism

Some Symptoms of Hirsutism :

Acne.
Obesity.
High blood pressure
Increased size of clitoris
Excess hair growth may be present.
Irregular menstrual periods.
Increase in thigh hair and chest hair
Decreased breast size
Enlarged muscles.
Women who have hirsutism have dark, thick hair on their face, chest, abdomen and back.

Treatment of Hirsutism

Chemical depilation may be suited best to treatment of large hairy areas in patients unable to afford more expensive treatments such as electrolysis and laser epilation.
Using electrical current to damage individual hair follicles so they do not grow back. This is expensive and requires multiple treatments.
This uses light to generate heat inside hair follicles, which destroys the ability of hair to grow from the follicle.
A medicine called an anti-androgen to help control the male hormones that cause hirsutism.
Bleaching makes the excessive hair less obvious.

Nails Care

Anychia
Clawing of the Nails
Clubbing
Discoloration of the Nail Plate
Ingrowing Toe Nail
Koilonychia
Longitudinal Striations
Loss of Nail Plate
Onycholysis
Paronychia
Pitting of Nail Plates
Pterygium
Thickening of Nail Plate
Transverse Ridges

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