
What Causes Excessive Hair Growth On Body In A Child?

My daughter is 3 years old and has a lot of body hair. It is dark black color in both arms and back.
When she was born it wasn't that bad, but it increased in last 1 year's time. Her father is also quite hairy.
I would like to know if there are some home remedy's that can be done to reduce the hair or at least stop the growth.
Thanks,
XXXX
Hypertrichosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to healthcaremagic
I am Dr. Kakkar. I have gone through your query and I have also looked at the Images.
She has generalised hypertrichosis. Hypertrichosis is excessive hair growth over and above the normal for the age, sex and race of an individual.
The hair is pigmented and seems soft, therefore it is composed of vellus hair.
In generalized hypertrichosis of vellus hair normally hairy areas like thorax, back, and limbs show increase in thickness and density of hair.
Prepubertal hypertrichosis is seen in otherwise healthy infants and children. There is involvement of face back and extremities. Distribution of hair shows an inverted fir-tree pattern on the back.
Treatment modalities that you may try are bleaching, trimming, shaving, plucking, waxing, chemical depilatories etc
Regards


As she is very young right now (3 years), I may not be able to bleach, shave or pluck hair.
I am afraid that as she grows up, the density and length of hair might increase. Is there any home remedy (e.g. scrub) that I can try which can reduce the density of hair over the period of time.
If not then what's the right age of a child to go ahead with wax etc.
Thanks,
XXXX
Hypertrichosis
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
You can try and use a hair removal cream e.g chemical depilatory, over the affected area, one by one.
Scrubbing is traditionally believed to help in case of excessive body hair. However, there is no proven role for it.
Waxing, of course not, at this young age. Waxing can be started whenever she is comfortable with the procedure and understands. I think by 8 years of age.
Later on, when she is 12-13 years, she can go for Laser Hair Reduction, if required.
Regards


One more question - As you have diagnosed "generalised hypertrichosis" for her. Is it genetic or due to some hormonal imbalance ?
Thanks,
XXXX
Generalized Hypertrichosis
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
It is genetic and is not hormone related. Therefore it usually occurs on non androgen dependent sites and spares the hair growth pattern commonly seen in males, on sites like chest and face (beard and moustache)
Regards

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