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What
is the difference between hirsutism and hypertrichosis
There seems to be some confusion about the distinction between
hypertrichosis and hirsutism. Hypertrichosis is hair growth over
and above what is normally expected when comparing the individual
to others of similar age and sex. The excess hair growth may or
may not involve pigmented hair fiber. Hypertrichosis can develop
all over the body or, more likely, it just develops in a small patch.
Any hair bearing area of skin can be affected by hypertrichosis.
Hirsutism is excess terminal hair growth in women with a male distribution
pattern. The excess hair growth is limited to one or more areas
including the mustache, beard, chest, and genital region. Hirsutism
is usually associated with increased or reduced exposure to hormones.
Primary causes of hypertrichosis are listed and briefly explained
below.
What
does "congenital hypertrichosis" mean
Congenital hypertrichosis is a cover all term for any excessive
hair growth visible on a child at birth. The hair growth can be
excessive for a wide variety of reasons and may involve the entire
body with a mass of fine long hair, diffuse excess hair, or may
be restricted to specific areas. Causes of congenital hypertrichosis
vary. It is sometimes a secondary symptom of various syndromes with
a genetic inheritance component.
What
does "acquired hypertrichosis" mean
Acquired hypertrichosis is a cover all term for any excess hair
growth that developed in an individual after birth. Typically the
excess hair is unpigmented vellus hair but may sometimes involve
pigmented terminal hair. There are many potential causes of acquired
hypertrichosis and it may also develop as a symptom of other diseases
and syndromes. Acquired hypertrichosis may be “localized”
to particular areas or “generalized” over all hair bearing
areas of skin.
Hirsutism
and hypertrichosis references
- Trueb RM,
Wyss M, Itin PH. [Androgenetic alopecia, hirsutism and hypertrichosis].
Ther Umsch. 1999 Apr;56(4):219-24.
- Imcke E, Orfanos CE. [Hypertrichosis and
hirsutism]. Med Monatsschr Pharm. 1991 Feb;14(2):36-42.
- Baumeister FA, Schwarz HP, Stengel-Rutkowski
S. Childhood hypertrichosis: diagnosis and management. Arch Dis
Child. 1995 May;72(5):457-9.
- Figuera LE, Cantu JM. Ambral syndrome
and congenital generalized hypertrichosis. Clin Genet. 1994 Nov;46(5):384.
- Baumeister FA, Stengel-Rutkowski S. Differentiation
of congenital hypertrichosis from Ambras syndrome. Clin Genet.
1994 Dec;46(6):441.
- Bumb RA, Makkar RK, Sulemani AA. Acquired
hypertrichosis singularis. Arch Dermatol. 1995 May;131(5):617.
- Camacho F. Acquired circumscribed hypertrichosis
in the 'costaleros' who bear the 'pasos' during Holy Week in Seville,
Spain. Arch Dermatol. 1995 Mar;131(3):361-3.
- Scholz VA. [Reflections of hypertrichosis
universalis in literary tradition and in art]. Dermatol Monatsschr.
1976 Apr;162(4):333-46.
- Ravin JG, Hodge GP. Hypertrichosis portrayed
in art. JAMA. 1969 Jan 20;207(3):533-4.
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