Hypertrichosis

(aka Werewolf Syndrome)

Roxana Morales & Domonique Payan
Bio-254
Professor V. Canela

What is Hypertrichosis?
Hypertrichosis is an excessive hair disorder featuring abnormal hair density
and length as compared to normal growth.
The individual can either have a generalized or localized form of this
conditioned.
It is unknown whether or not hypertrichosis is genetically inherited. However,
there was a case in Mexico where a man who was affected with this
condition, passed the disorder to his daughter but not to his son. Researchers
believe to link it as an X-dominant inheritance.
It can affect anyone regardless of age, gender, or race.

Three types of hair involves: lanugo, vellus and terminal hairs.

Lanugo hairs: are long, silky and light colored hairs which normally grow on embryos
in the womb and are shed anytime from the seventh month of pregnancy to the first
several months after birth.
Vellus hairs: are short non-pigmented hairs, which after birth replace the lanugo hairs
on all parts of the body except the scalp and eyebrows of a baby.
Terminal hairs: Are coarser and thicker hairs and usually pigmented. These hair
follicles cover the scalp and eyebrows and, later with the onset of puberty, start to grow
in the groin and underarm areas.

Classification of Hypertrichosis
Commonly, Hypertrichosis is classified as Generalized Hypertrichosis
or Localized Hypertrichosis.
Generalized means excessive hair growth all over the body or at
multiple sites on the body.
Localized refers to abnormal hair growth at a single site or just a few
sites. These two types are further sub-divided into congenital
(present from birth) and acquired (develops over time) categories of
Hypertrichosis.
Generalized Hypertrichosis can involve all three types of hair: lanugo,
vellus and terminal, while Localized Hypertrichosis usually involves
conversion of vellus hairs into terminal hairs.

Types of Hypertrichosis
Generalized Congenital Hypertrichosis: is a rare inherited disorder. At
birth, the long and silky lanugo hairs, normally shed before or shortly after
birth, remain on the infants entire body, sparing only the palms and soles.
The growth is typically more on the face, ears and shoulders. In the
documented cases, no reduction in hair growth was seen later in life.
Generalized Acquired Hypertrichosis: is commonly caused by drugs
like Phenytoin, Cyclosporine A, and Minoxidil among others. Hypertrichosis
disappears once the drug intake is discontinued. The time taken depends on
the growth site and is usually 3 months to a year.

Types of Hypertrichosis continued

Localized Congenital Hypertrichosis: is restricted to a single or just a few

sites such as the back, elbows, ears and nevi. Excess hair on the back can be a
sign of underlying neural abnormalities or spinal defects. Therefore, early
diagnosis and treatment is critically important.
Excess hairs on the elbows are termed Hypertrichosis cubiti. The growth becomes
more prominent in early childhood and usually disappears partially or fully in
adolescence.
Hairy pinna is excessive hair on the ears and is more common among older men. In
babies, it can be associated with a diabetic mother. AIDS patients and diabetic
patients can also have excess hair on their ears.
Hairy nevi are the most common Hypertrichosis among babies. Additionally the nevi
are often pigmented.

Localized Acquired Hypertrichosis: These are transient Hypertrichosis

caused by a variety of injuries like trauma, irritation or inflammation, which
transform vellus hairs into coarse terminal hairs as a response to the local
injury.

Causes of Hypertrichosis

Drug induced: Among the more common acquired Hypertrichosis types is a class of
Hypertrichosis caused by drugs. The areas commonly affected by these drugs are the
limbs, trunk, back and occasionally the face. The hair growth usually becomes normal
after drug intake is stopped.

The drugs that more commonly associated with Hypertrichosis include phenytoin,
acetazolamide, streptomycin, latanoprost, cyclosporine, psoralen, diazoxide and minoxidil. Of
these, phenytoin, cyclosporine and minoxidil are the most frequent causes of generalized
hypertrichosis.

Injury induced Generalized Hypertrichosis: induced a wide variety of underlying

pathological states, brought about by physical injuries. People exposed to harmful
chemicals such as Hexachlorobenzene develop hepatic porphyria leading to
Hypertrichosis on the face and extremities.

Injury induced Localized Hypertrichosis: is the result of physical injury and can
cause temporary localized Hypertrichosis. These physical injuries include repeated
trauma, local friction, irritation and inflammation involving the dermis regardless of
whether there is any scarring. These injuries transform local vellus hairs to terminal hairs
leading to localized Hypertrichosis.

Treatments
Cosmetic treatment is usually undertaken, particularly for congenital
Hypertrichosis, where, unlike in many acquired Hypertrichosis cases, the
underlying problems cannot be cured. There is no single treatment for all
Hypertrichosis and patients. The site, depend on the nature and amount of
growth, and the patients and their preferences are taken into account
when deciding the most appropriate treatment method.
The common treatments are shaving, plucking, epilation, depilation,
electrolysis and laser removal. Laser and electrolysis treatment approaches
hold the promise of being permanent hair removal. Other treatments are
temporary and have to be repeated.

References

http://www.hypertrichosis.com/hypertrichosis-biology/whathypertrichosis.shtml

www.healthh.com/hypertrichosis/