Excessive hair growth, also called hirsutism, can occur in children. The FamilyDoctor website explains that children of a South Asian, Mediterranean or Middle Eastern background are more likely to develop excessive hair growth. Because this condition can be embarrassing and can cause serious self-esteem issues, it is important to understand its causes and treatment options.
Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, excess hair growth in children can occur in many places. Among them include above the lips, on the chin, face, stomach, chest, back and thighs. Hair is often coarse and dark. Hirsutism is typically accompanied by additional symptoms such as acne, voice deepening, irregular periods, increase of muscle mass and balding of the scalp. This condition only occurs in females, typically beginning in the teenage years and getting worse with age.
Causes
The Children's Hospital Boston explains that hirsutism tends to run in families. It can occur due to a hormonal balance in which the body produces excess amounts of the testosterone and androgens hormones. This can be the result of a medical condition such as polycystic ovary syndrome. In addition, the illness Cushing's syndrome can cause levels of the cortisone hormone to spike, resulting in an imbalance of sex hormones. Rarely, tumors in the adrenal glands or ovaries can secret androgen hormones and cause hirsutism.
Treatment
There are a variety of treatment options for excessive hair growth in children. A doctor can prescribe an oral medication to block the androgen hormones causing hirsutism, such as oral contraceptives, finasteride and spironolactone. These medications may take up to 6 months before results are noticed. A topical medication called eflornithine can also help decrease hair growth on the facial area. It can work as quickly as 4 weeks but may cause side effects such as burning, inflammation and a rash.
Tips
If a child experiences just a few random facial hairs, she can remove them with a pair of tweezers. This process can be slightly painful, but it is long lasting. Shaving with a fresh razor is an efficient way to remove large amounts of hair, but it must be repeated often in order to keep the skin smooth and hair free. Chemical depilatories, which dissolve the hair and its shaft, can also be used to remove unwanted hair.
Considerations
To lower the levels of androgens hormones naturally, the University of Maryland Medical Center recommends eating a diet rich in antioxidants. These include cherries, blueberries, bell peppers, tomatoes and squash. Eat lean meats, fish, beans and tofu instead of fatty red meats. Cook only with healthy oils like vegetable and olive oil. Refrain from consuming refined products like sugar, pastas and white bread. Also avoid trans-fat found in products like French fries, margarines, cookies and donuts.
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