Body Hair Loss

McDavids Nimo Yeboah

Question: Does hair loss affect only the head or can it be other parts of the body?

Answer: As unusual as it may sound, hair loss is not restricted to the scalp. There are many instances where skin conditions, hormone disorders and other medical illnesses, diet, and stress can cause hair loss on the body. The eyebrows and lashes, beard, underarms, pubic area, arms and legs can all be affected by hair loss.

Eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis can damage the hair follicles and surrounding cells making hair growth on certain parts of the body impossible. Usually if the cause of the problem is addressed, the hair loss can be reversed or at least controlled. Other times though, for instance in the case of scarring from ringworm or burns, the cell damage and loss of hair is irreversible. 

Hormonal fluctuations and disorders can also cause body hair loss. Menopause, thyroid disease, diabetes, nutritional deficiency, and eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, have all been linked to body hair loss.

Alopecia areata barbae is a condition that refers to patchy hair loss on the beard. It is not dangerous but can be a problem for men whose culture or religion requires growth of the beard.

Then there is also the autoimmune disorders alopecia areata and alopecia universalis. These conditions range from small, patchy and localised hair loss to complete and total body hair loss. They are not entirely understood but it is presumed stress and genetics play a part. Sometimes the hair grows back by itself within a year, but there instances that hair growth ceases indefinitely. While there are a few treatment options, success usually relies on early action.

When it comes to reversing hair loss on the body, it normally requires addressing the cause rather than treating the hair loss. Sometimes though, if a genetic trait is triggered, these conditions can lead to male pattern baldness or female pattern hair loss. If this were the case, there are hair loss treatments that can stabilise, control and even reverse the effects of the condition.

If you require any further information, simply call on 020 7730 6666 or message the centre. Alternatively, you could fill in the online diagnostic form for personalised information and treatment recommendations.