Eating too much cake can make you hairy: The unlikely causes for excess body hair

More than half of all women are concerned about excess body hair, according to a report published by market research company Mintel last month.

In the online survey of more than 2,000 women, excess hair was rated just behind weight gain for body dissatisfaction. 

Excess hair was rated just behind weight gain for body dissatisfaction

It’s estimated that one in ten of us suffers from excess facial and body hair. But what causes it?

‘Sometimes race or just a family tendency to be more hairy is to blame, rather than any medical problem,’ explains Dr Rina Davison, an endocrinologist from Whipps Cross University Hospital, London, with a special interest in excess hair. 


‘People of South Asian or Mediterranean descent tend to have more hair than Caucasians or those with black skin, for example. It’s also possible to be quite a “hairy” family regardless of race.’
But there are other factors — from commonly prescribed drugs to poor diet and certain ailments — that could be to blame...

CAKES AND BISCUITS

Eating large amounts of sugary, refined carbohydrates, such as biscuits and cakes, may trigger excess hair.
These foods have a high glycaemic index, which means they release their energy quickly and can cause insulin resistance, explains Dr Davison.

Eating large amounts of sugary, refined carbohydrates, such as biscuits and cakes, may trigger excess hair

Insulin is the hormone that controls blood sugar level; ‘resistance’ means the hormone becomes less effective at lowering blood sugar, so the body has to  produce more of it to get the job done.


‘The problem is that a raised insulin level may trigger growth factors which make the ovaries produce too much of the “male” hormone testosterone, which can lead to excess hair,’ adds Marilyn Glenville, a women’s health expert and nutritionist. 


‘Being overweight can also cause insulin resistance.’

POLYCYSTIC OVARIES

This condition is the main cause of excess hair in women.

Estimated to affect 10 to 15  per cent of women, Polycystic Ovaries Syndrome (PCOS) is when the ovaries don’t work properly and are covered in small cysts.

As a result, eggs are released erratically or not at all, causing irregular or missed periods, and often reduced fertility and acne. 


One of the most common symptoms is a high level of male hormones (androgens), which leads to hair growth. 


All women produce androgens. However, sometimes women produce higher levels, or they may have normal levels, but their hair follicles are more sensitive to androgens. 


‘If excess hair is due to a hormonal imbalance, then it tends to occur in areas such as the chin, upper lip, sideburns, chest and inner thighs,’ says Dr Davison.


‘These are areas of the skin that are more sensitive to testosterone. The hair is also likely to be coarse and dark.’ 


Given the implications for  fertility, women worried about excess hair should see their GP, advises Steve Franks, professor of reproductive endocrinology at Imperial College, London and an endocrinologist at St Mary’s and Hammersmith Hospitals, London.


‘There may be other problems to investigate,’ he suggests. ‘Often, excess hair is a symptom of PCOS, but it also can be indicative of less common, but potentially more serious, hormonal disorders, or tumours of the ovary or adrenal gland — the two parts of the body that produce testosterone. 


‘Many, if not most, GPs will take the problem seriously and refer to an endocrinologist if appropriate.
‘Women should not be afraid to ask for a referral to a specialist.’


The alarm bells should ring for a GP if a woman comes in with a growth of facial hair that has developed within the past six months, he adds.

ECZEMA

‘Patients with skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis can also develop excess hair,’ says Dr Davison.
‘That’s because these conditions are caused by inflammation, which increases the blood supply to that part of the skin, accelerating hair growth. 


‘It also increases skin cell turnover — the rate at which skin cells renew themselves. With psoriasis, for example, new skin cells are produced every two to six days, rather than the normal 21 to 28 days.
'What’s important here is that it’s not just skin cell turnover that’s magnified, but hair growth, too.’ 

TESTOSTERONE GEL

‘If A woman’s partner has been given testosterone in gel form to raise his levels of the hormone, then it may inadvertently get transferred to her through skin contact,’ says Dr Davison.

‘Not many people realise this can happen, and that it can be enough to trigger hair growth in areas such as the face. 


‘The same can also happen with testosterone prescribed to women for libido purposes.


‘Similarly, products for hair loss in men and women, such as minoxidil, can cause unwanted hair growth if they inadvertently  get transferred to other parts of the skin during application,’ says Dr Davison. 


‘I have seen women develop excess hair on their forehead, fingers and backs of hands.’ 


Furthermore, while minoxidil is often applied to the scalp as a lotion, it is sometimes taken in tablet form as a treatment for high blood pressure and can cause unwanted hair growth, says Carole Michaelides, consultant trichologist at the Philip Kingsley clinic in London. 

ANOREXIA

People suffering from anorexia will have lanugo hair — an excess of fine, downy hair that covers the body, says Dr Davison. 


‘It’s not known why it happens — it’s not a hormonal issue. 

People suffering from anorexia will have lanugo hair - an excess of fine, downy hair that covers the body

'Unfortunately, the excess hair is unlikely to help the person’s already negative image of their body.’

STEROIDS

Corticosteroids are used to reduce inflammation in the body and are prescribed to treat conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. 

They contain a synthetic version of the hormone cortisol and levels can build up in the body over time. 

The problem is that if the drugs are taken for more than four to six months, this can cause a condition called Cushing’s syndrome.

Symptoms include weight gain, a red, puffy face and excess hair growth all over the body. 

The risk of developing Cushing’s syndrome is higher in people who take steroids in tablet form, although it can also affect those who use take large doses of inhaled steroids, e.g. for asthma, or steroid creams often used to treat eczema or psoriasis.

MENOPAUSE/HRT

‘As the hormone oestrogen declines at the menopause, testosterone (the ‘male’ hormone) can become more dominant,’ explains  Marilyn Glenville. 

You don’t have more testosterone, but the ratio of oestrogen to testosterone has changed, making women prone to symptoms of male pattern baldness or other male characteristics such as facial hair and acne.’ 

Indeed, it’s thought that about 25 per cent of middle-aged women regularly remove unwanted facial hair. The hair may grow on the upper lip or chin — areas that are sensitive to testosterone — or sometimes also on the cheeks, chest, stomach and back.

Treatment for the menopause in the form of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) may also trigger excess hair. The aim of HRT is to correct the drop in oestrogen and progesterone.

‘There are two types of progestogens which can be included in HRT preparations,’ says Marilyn Glenville.
The first group are analogues (meaning ‘similar to’) of progesterone (such as dydrogesterone and medroxyprogesterone) and the second are analogues of testosterone (such as norethisterone). 

If your HRT contains progestogens that are similar to testosterone, this might explain excess hair growth and you need to speak to your GP about your choices. 

Another form of HRT is tibolone. ‘This is a synthetic steroid compound which has androgenic properties, so one of its side-effects can be increased facial hair,’ says Marilyn Glenville.

Certain contraceptives, such as Yasmin, are also marketed as being hair-friendly, while the Mirena coil has been linked with excess facial hair, adds Carole Michaelides.

HOW YOU CAN TACKLE IT

‘There is a myth that shaving or plucking makes hair grow back thicker and stronger, but this isn’t the case,’ says consultant trichologist Carole Michaelides. 


‘It’s more an optical illusion — rather than being long and fine, the hair is short and stumpy.’
Endocrinologist Dr Rina Davison adds: ‘There isn’t one best way to remove hair. 


‘In some people, waxing might cause ingrown hairs and infections, and bleaching isn’t always an option for darker skin.


‘Laser is an effective treatment, but it is expensive and you must make sure the trigger of the unwanted hair has been rectified. 


‘If it is a hormonal condition, for example, this must be treated first or you will continue to grow the hair and the results won’t be permanent.’


If the hair is triggered by a hormonal condition, the British Association of Dermatologists recommends a range of medical treatments available on the NHS. 


These include anti-androgens to block male hormones, eflornithine cream to slow hair growth, or the contraceptive pill.

More information: wecanfaceit.com.

Additional reporting: Sue Learner

Article by Anna Hodgekiss
for the Mail Online

Is your partner a whistler, a rumbler or a Darth Vader wheezer? How to be a snore detective

Every night millions of Britons are engaged — often obliviously — in a snoring chorus of rumbles, rasps and grunts while their suffering partners lie awake beside them.
A recent study found many of us lose the equivalent of three weeks’ sleep every year because of our other halves’ snoring. 


‘It’s a widely under-reported problem that can have a significant impact on people’s well-being and relationships,’ says Douglas Keay, an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon at the BMI Kings Park Hospital in Stirling.

A recent study found many of us lose the equivalent of three weeks' sleep every year because of our other halves' snoring

'I have seen two people who said they would have to cancel their engagement if their partners’ snoring couldn’t be fixed.’ 


There are potential risks to the snorer’s health, too, as certain types of snoring make you prone to high blood pressure, diabetes and even stroke. 


An estimated three million Britons snore regularly. The causes range from allergies to a late-night tipple and being overweight. Pinpointing the root of the problem is key to finding the right treatment. 

‘In the majority of cases, simple lifestyle changes can have a big impact,’ says Myles Black, an ENT surgeon at East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust. Sometimes, however, the problem may require surgery.


So how can you — or your long-suffering partner — work out what’s behind your snoring?
Here the experts reveal the different types of snoring, and how to tackle them...

NASAL SNORER

SOUNDS LIKE: The classic ‘snore’ — a low-frequency fluttering or rumbling noise.
‘It sounds like someone doing an impersonation of someone snoring, or Darth Vader,’ says Marianne Davey, from the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association. 


THE CAUSE: If your nasal passages are partially blocked, more air is forced through the mouth while you sleep.

This extra pressure causes the soft and dangling tissue of the throat to collapse. When it’s collapsed, the soft tissue vibrates as air rushes past it, emitting the characteristic snoring sound.

A common cause is an allergy or sinus infection which causes inflammation and swelling of the lining tissues.

Deformities of the nose such as a deviated septum (where the wall of cartilage that separates one nostril from the other is crooked) or nasal polyps (fleshy, non-cancerous growths) can also cause obstruction and sleep problems. 


TAKE THE TEST: Stand in front of a mirror, holding one nostril closed and breathe in. If the open nostril tends to collapse, try propping it open by holding the outer rim with the clean end of a matchstick. 


Now, with your mouth closed, try breathing in through your nose — if breathing is easier with the nostril propped open, you could be a nasal snorer.


Allergies can be seasonal, such as hayfever. However, if your nose is blocked all year round, this suggests a structural problem with the nose rather than an allergy, says Mr Keay.


Other symptoms to look for include a dry mouth, bad breath or headaches caused by dehydration, explains Mr Black.

‘The saliva dries in the open mouth as the air rushes to the back of the throat. Without saliva, the bacteria that cause bad breath can flourish.


‘If you snore and you need to constantly sip a glass of water by your bedside through the night, some form of nasal obstruction could be to blame.’


WHAT YOU CAN DO: Breathe Right nasal dilator strips — special plasters you put on the outside of the nose which stretch the nostrils open — can provide extra external support to improve airflow, explains Mr Black.


‘In extreme cases we can perform surgery to insert small rods, or silver rings, which keep the airways open,’ he says. 


If you have a deviated septum, an operation to straighten it, known as a septoplasty, is also possible.
Polyps can be surgically removed with total resolution of the snoring. If you think allergies may be to blame, ask your GP for testing. 


‘Using a mattress cover and man-made fibres for duvets and pillows can eliminate dust and house mites, a common cause of nasal congestion, and using nasal steroid sprays for a minimum of two months can help,’ adds Mr Black.

TONGUE SNORER

 SOUNDS LIKE: A high-pitched snore that comes in fits and starts, and stops when you roll on your side.
‘The sound made by a tongue-based snorer is often higher pitched as it’s more focused on the denser tongue muscle rather than the flappy palate,’ says Marianne Davey. ‘It also tends to be in shorter bursts rather than the continuous flapping vibration of the soft tissue in the throat.’ 

Drinking alcohol just before bed can exacerbate the problem of tongue snoring

THE CAUSE: Roughly 30-50 per cent of snorers are tongue-based snorers,’ says Mr Black.
‘Here, the tongue is in the wrong position, blocking the air flow through to the throat — perhaps as a result of a small lower jaw; or else the supporting muscles are too relaxed, allowing the tongue to fall back when you lie down, or you could simply have an overly-large tongue.’ 


Drinking alcohol just before bed, sleeping pills and other medication such as antihistamines can exacerbate the problem by relaxing the muscles that support the tongue.


Men in particular suffer from tongue-based snoring because they tend to put on weight around the neck, explains Mr Black, and this can cause ‘a build-up of fatty tissue around the base of the tongue, constricting the airways’. 


TAKE THE TEST: Stick your tongue out as far as it will go and grip it between your teeth, says Marianne Davey. Now try to make a snoring noise. If the snoring noise is reduced with your tongue in this forward position, then you are probably what is known as a ‘tongue-base snorer’. 


WHAT YOU CAN DO: If your tongue is falling too far back, a bespoke mandibular advancement device (MAD) has been shown to be effective in the majority of users, says Mr Black. 


This is in effect a plastic mouth guard that pulls the lower jaw and in turn, the tongue forward to open the airways. A low-tech solution to prevent the tongue falling into the back of the throat is sewing a tennis ball into the back of your pyjamas. ‘This simply prevents you sleeping on your back,’ he says.


Losing weight and avoiding night-caps and smoking (which irritates the throat and nasal linings) are also important.

MOUTH SNORER

SOUNDS LIKE: Low-frequency rumbling, similar to nasal snoring. You snore whether on your side or back.

Mouth snorer: Low-frequency rumbling, similar to nasal snoring

THE CAUSE: One of the most common causes of snoring is breathing through the mouth. This causes the soft tissues of the palate or the uvula (the dangling tissue in the back of the mouth) to bump against each other and vibrate, triggering the snore. This is known as ‘palatal’ snoring.


TAKE THE TEST: Open your mouth and make a snoring noise, says Marianne Davey. Now close your mouth and try to make the same noise.

If you can only snore with your mouth open then you are a ‘mouth breather’. 


You could also look at the soft tissue towards the back and top of the mouth, says Mr Keay.

‘There should be an open passageway for air to travel through — if the tonsils are clearly visible, or if the palate hangs down, this could well point towards mouth snoring — it’s like a sheet flapping in the wind.’


WHAT YOU CAN DO: Maintaining a healthy body mass index, limiting alcohol intake and stopping smoking can all help prevent palatal snoring by tightening the neck muscles and pulling up any soft tissue responsible for the noisy vibrations.


‘The surgical solution I advocate in this situation is pillar implants that support the palate,’ says Mr Keay. These plastic rods are inserted into the soft, floppy part of the palate in a 15-minute procedure.


A NICE study three years ago found 67 per cent of cases had a reduction of at least 50 per cent in their snoring compared with none in the placebo patients. 


Other surgical options include trimming the uvula using laser or electrical forceps, or radiowaves to scar and so stiffen the tissue in the palate.

SLEEP APNOEA

SOUNDS LIKE: A crescendo of loud snoring followed by silence lasting from a few seconds up to 20, and then coughing, gasping or spluttering (your partner will describe it as if you are choking or gasping for air).


THE CAUSE: Obstructive sleep apnoea, which occurs as a result of narrowing of the airways. An estimated 4 per cent of men and 2 per cent of women are affected. During sleep, airway muscles relax too much and, as a result, tissue blocks the passage of air.


Partial blockage results in snoring, but in a total blockage — apnoea — the patient can stop breathing for up to 20 seconds at a time. When air is completely cut off, the brain sends an emergency signal, causing the airway muscles to contract. 


This reopens the airway, allowing the sufferer to take in a big gulp of air. 


The whole process is repeated, sometimes hundreds of times a night. 


‘In most cases, the sufferer has no recollection of the events, but will wake up feeling exhausted,’ says Ayham Al-Ayoubi, Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon at Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust and North Middlesex University Hospital. 


Left untreated, sleep apnoea can increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes.


TAKE THE TEST: This is the same test as for mouth snoring, says Marianne Davey, but the determining symptom of sleep apnoea is daytime exhaustion. 


‘Sufferers regularly find it impossible to stay awake while seated, especially driving, wake up feeling exhausted and often put on weight as they eat sugary snacks to temporarily boost concentration and energy levels,’ says Mr Al-Ayoubi. 


WHAT YOU CAN DO: ‘One of the most effective therapies is continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), a mask worn at night where air is pumped continuously to keep the airways open,’ says Mr Al-Ayoubi. 


‘However, a large number of sufferers find a CPAP intrusive or invasive and many don’t continue with it.’
Surgery to remove the excess floppy tissue can help, but less drastic measures include losing weight and eliminating other lifestyle factors such as drinking or smoking.

 

YOU'RE NEVER TOO YOUNG TO SNORE

Children are also prone to the night-time rumbles. 

‘Obstructive sleep apnoea is relatively common in children between the ages of three and six, when their adenoids — glandular tissue above the tonsils — and tonsils seem to grow faster than the rest of their bodies, blocking the flow of air into their lungs,’ says Mr Black.

If you look carefully you will notice the enlarged tonsils occupying the space where normally you could see into the back of the throat.

‘The daytime exhaustion resulting from the condition can have effects on behaviour and learning at school, so it’s important to see a specialist as soon as possible.’

He adds that these children often have their tonsils and adenoids removed.

British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association, 
www.britishsnoring.co.uk


Article by Matthew Barbour
for the Mail Online