Medical Information At present: What causes hair loss on the legs?

The medical time period for hair loss is alopecia, and it might have an effect on any a part of the physique, together with the legs.

Hair loss on the legs is also referred to as anterolateral leg alopecia. It is because it’s seen on the entrance (anterior) and sides (lateral) of the decrease legs. One other identify for it’s peroneal alopecia.

Many individuals with alopecia on the legs could not understand that they’ve it. So long as there aren’t any different signs current, it shouldn’t be a trigger for concern.

Nonetheless, some individuals could discover signs along with the hair loss. This may typically point out an underlying well being situation that requires medical consideration.

Learn on to study extra in regards to the totally different causes of hair loss on the legs, in addition to easy methods to deal with such a hair loss.

Sure elements, together with some well being situations, may cause hair loss on the legs. The sections beneath talk about these potential causes in additional element.

Drugs

Share on PinterestSure drugs could also be the reason for hair loss on the legs.

Hair loss that happens as a aspect impact of remedy is called drug-induced alopecia. This sort of hair loss normally impacts the scalp. Nonetheless, it might additionally have an effect on different components of the physique, together with the legs.

One 2014 research discovered that 42% of contributors reported hair loss on their legs and arms after utilizing the antifungal remedy voriconazole. For most individuals, this hair grew again after they stopped taking the remedy.

Different drugs which may trigger hair loss embody:

Alopecia

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune situation by which the physique’s personal immune system mistakenly assaults wholesome hair follicles. It most frequently develops on the scalp, however it might trigger hair loss anyplace, together with on the legs.

In keeping with the Nationwide Alopecia Areata Basis, the situation impacts round 6.eight million individuals in the USA.

Scientists haven’t but recognized the precise reason behind alopecia, however there does appear to be a genetic part.

Coronary coronary heart illness

There could also be a hyperlink between coronary coronary heart illness (CHD) and alopecia on the legs. For instance, one 2018 research discovered that hair loss on the legs was extra frequent in males with CHD than in these with out.

Males with CHD additionally began shedding leg hair at an earlier age than males with out CHD.

Another potential signs of CHD embody:

chest ache or anginabreathlessnesslightheadedness

Diabetes

Diabetes may also trigger hair loss on the legs.

Over time, diabetes-related harm to the blood vessels may end up in peripheral artery illness (PAD). In PAD, a fatty deposit referred to as plaque builds up within the blood vessels contained in the legs. This interferes with blood move and, consequently, hair development.

Different potential signs of diabetes embody:

frequent urinationexcessive thirstextreme fatigueslower wound healingtingling, ache, or numbness within the arms or ft

Thyroid issues

The thyroid gland performs an vital function within the development and upkeep of hair follicles. Having an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) or an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) can have an effect on the traditional cycle of hair development. This may end up in hairs shedding too early.

Hairs generally shed from the scalp, however they could additionally shed from different areas of the physique, together with the legs.

Although uncommon, some antithyroid drugs — comparable to carbimazole and propylthiouracil — may also trigger hair loss.

Some signs of hypothyroidism embody:

Some signs of hyperthyroidism embody:

problem sleepingracing heartincreased sweatinganxietytremors

Different potential causes

Some further causes of hair loss on the legs embody:

friction because of carrying tight clothinginfected hair follicles, or folliculitisnutritional deficiencies, comparable to an absence of iron or zinchormone modifications because of being pregnant or menopauserecent sickness or main surgical procedure

Anterolateral leg alopecia is extra frequent in males than in girls.

Actually, because the authors of a 2014 case research notice, anterolateral leg alopecia could have an effect on as many as 35% of males. Most males with this situation are middle-aged or older.

Anybody involved about hair loss on their legs can see a health care provider or dermatologist. A dermatologist is a health care provider who focuses on pores and skin, hair, and nail issues.

To diagnose the trigger, a health care provider or dermatologist will:

take a whole medical historical past, paying particular consideration to how rapidly the hair loss started and the way lengthy it has continuedexamine the person’s pores and skin, paying particular consideration to the legs and every other areas with hair lossstudy the person’s hair to search for indicators of breakage and different damageorder blood assessments if vital

In terms of treating hair loss on the legs, step one is to establish the trigger.

If the hair loss is because of a medical situation, the physician will deal with that situation. If the hair loss happens as a aspect impact of a specific remedy, the physician could decrease the dosage or change the remedy. In each circumstances, the hair normally begins to develop again after round 6 months.

Generally, hair loss on the legs will not be accompanied by every other signs. In these circumstances, so long as the particular person will not be involved by the hair loss, therapy will not be vital.

It is usually price noting that commonplace hair loss remedies don’t appear efficient in treating hair loss on the legs.

Many individuals could expertise hair loss on the legs with out even realizing. Except there are different signs, it’s unlikely to be a trigger for concern.

Nonetheless, hair loss accompanied by different signs can typically be an indication of a extra severe well being downside. Some situations that may trigger such a hair loss embody thyroid issues, coronary heart illness, and diabetes.

Folks can see a health care provider if they’re involved about hair loss on their legs. The physician will work to diagnose and deal with the problem.