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Possibly unusual hair growth and it's possible implications


DwayneEMTP

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So, Dylan has hit puberty, 15 yrs old, and (Oh, dear God!) all that that entails.

My question is, though he began developing normal body hair at puberty, pubic hair, leg hair and all, he seems extremely hairy from the waist down, with almost no hair, other than on his head, from the waist up. This includes armpit hair, of which he has almost none.

This got me to wondering, as his autism causes me me to question many things, whether or not this is normal for teen boys? If I didn't know him, and were to expose him from the feet up, by the time I got to his head I would expect to have found a really hairy chest and full beard, yet, to date, he is nearly smooth on his upper body. What made me think of this as unusual actually is watching him get out of the shower and being reminded of one of those half man, half horse mythical creatures...

As autism is sometimes believed to be 'extreme maleness' I was curious if this could be a symptom of that that I've not been exposed to yet, but having only one child, have no idea if perhaps this is the way boys develop?

Any advice? I've tried Googling,(tons of hits for razors, waxes, creams and hypertrichosis) and searching the medical forums, (hypertrichosis) but what to use for a search term?

I know this is personal, and perhaps weird, but thought that it might also make for an interesting discussion.

Thanks all...

Dwayne

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Dwayne, I was dylan when I hit puberty. Or at least had this problem. It was so embarassing that my father and I had a long drive and we discussed it.

My father said to me and I'll never forget where we were at the time. Driving down Wornall Road at 73rd street in KC MO on the way to my grandfathers house.

My father said that our family has a strange way of growing hair. Our legs are always hairy, our chest get minimal hair and then our arms get hairy. We then grow bald.

We arrived at my grandfathers house and I then noticed how hairy his arms were. Put it all in perspective.

I grew out of it. I'm sure Dylan will also.

If you are worried enough to post that personal info about your son here, then I would definately go to a doctor who specializes in autism and it's growth effects. Maybe an endocrinologist or better yet, pediatric endocrinologist. It might be his hormones at age 15 that are just playing havoc with his body.

i know that Wiki isn't a valid tool but here is a nice article on Hirsutism. This might be his issue. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirsutism

Here is a link for abnormal puberty manifestations in boys and girls. http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Puberty-Normal-and-Abnormal.htm

This from a chapter in a text book. Lots of scientific stuff here. http://www.endotext.org/pediatrics/pediatrics13/pediatrics13.htm

One more option http://www.livestrong.com/article/237147-abnormal-hair-growth-in-children/

This site gives links at the bottom to many other puberty related sites. Maybe one of them can help.

http://www.usc.edu/student-affairs/Health_Center/adolhealth/content/a1.html

Above all, I've read a consistent theme in all the sites listed above, if you are concerned about this abnormal (which in reality might be normal for Dylan) then you need to go see a doctor. A good start would be his general pediatrician and then he can refer you to others. Or you can make an appointment to a specialist without the advice of Dylans pediatrician or physician.

I think he's just a normal 15 year old going through the puberty. I have about 5 years before I get to experience it with my son. Can't wait.

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Dwayne not being versed in Autism at all I don't want to say be construed in any way shape or form as knowledge of said disorder, if any.

I am still the way you describe your son. Barely any chest, arm pit hair. Minimal arm hair, spotty facial hair. Legs that would make a gorilla jelous LOL. To this day I never really gave it much thought other then clothing I may wear, If you look at my legs, due to wearing high socks constantly I have no hair around that area.

Hopefully this is just the case with your son. As Ruff said maybe an edocrinonolgist to rule things out and maybe ask his GP.

Good luck brother!

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Wholy Rogain dip Batman! Dittos. My son developed the same pattern when he entered puberty. Still has no chest hair but axillary hair grew about 16 or 17.

Edited by DFIB
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I was gonna comment but you know my hair status... :)

Heh...yeah. Thus the nickname 'Yeti.'

Thanks all. I wasn't worried really, but I do feel better knowing that it's not an uncommon condition.

Dwayne

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I`d also say nothing to worry about. A buddy of mine has no facial hair at all, other than some lone whiskers on his upper lip - with 25.

Know of another guy having no beard at all who did training with me - so it`s not that uncommon.

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