You may be surprised when you see your baby for the first time that his skin is not as soft as you expected, and his color tends to be red with a touch of blue, and his body and face may be covered with hair. You may feel frustrated or worried about whether these characteristics will continue with your child throughout his life. But do not worry, all of these things are temporary and will disappear with time. Some relatives may suggest that you use certain recipes to prevent the appearance of hair in newborns, such as breast milk or rose water, and it may reach more strange suggestions such as using bat blood. Are these methods effective? And do they have any negative effects on your newborn? Continue reading in  Dalili Medical to discover the answers.

What are the causes of a newborn being born with thick hair?

 

Most cases remain unknown, and this hair usually disappears with age.

- Genetic factors.

- Hormonal imbalance.

- Some glandular diseases.

- The mother taking some medications during pregnancy that may lead to increased hair density in the newborn's body.

These hairs are known as "language" and begin to grow while the baby is still a small fetus in his mother's womb, where they play a role in protecting his sensitive skin and maintaining the balance of his body temperature inside the womb, until the baby's body begins to gradually form subcutaneous fat.

These hairs stick to the baby's skin and provide it with the necessary protection throughout the nine-month pregnancy. As the due date approaches, most fetuses lose these hairs, but some may be born with them and they remain on his body for a few weeks or months, then disappear without causing any concern or impact on the baby's health.

The problem of dense body hair is common among dark-skinned infants, as hair appears noticeably and distinctively on their skin. Small hair covers the baby's entire body, which may cause concern for the mother about this matter.

What are the symptoms?

 

The appearance of thick hair in unusual areas on the baby's body.

The hair color can be dark, light, or different from the baby's natural hair color.

The hair can also be soft or coarse.

**Hypertension analysis of children's hair**

- **Genetic factors**: Excessive hair in children may be the result of genetic factors, as it can be transmitted from one or both parents.

- **Hormonal disorders**: Some hormonal disorders, such as polycystic ovary syndrome or Cushing's syndrome, may lead to increased hair growth in children.

- **Some medications**: Some medications that the child takes can contribute to increased hair growth.

- **Some medical conditions**: In rare cases, excess hair in children may be an indication of a medical condition, such as congenital hypertrichosis.

What are the symptoms?

 

The appearance of thick hair in unusual areas of the child's body.

The hair color can be dark or light, or different from the child's natural hair color.

The hair can also be soft or coarse.

What is the treatment available?

 

Treatment of excess hair in children depends on the underlying cause behind its appearance.

In some cases, excess hair does not require any treatment, as hair begins to fall out naturally during puberty.

In other cases, the doctor may recommend medical treatment to address the underlying cause of excess hair.

What are the types of excess hair hormone tests?

 

1. Thyroid hormone test: aims to measure thyroid function, as hypothyroidism can affect hair growth.

2. Male hormone test: measures levels of testosterone and DHEA-S, as high levels of them can lead to increased hair growth in girls.

3. Androgen hormone test: aims to measure levels of androgen hormones, such as DHEA and DHEA-S, as high levels can lead to increased hair growth in children.

4. Adrenal hormone test: measures levels of cortisol and aldosterone hormones, as high levels of them can lead to increased hair growth.

**How ​​is the excess hair hormone test performed?**

 

The excess hair hormone test is performed by drawing a blood sample.

**When does the newborn's thick body hair disappear?**

 

We would like to emphasize that the density of the newborn's body hair is completely normal, and the mother should not take any measures to remove it, whether by rubbing or using natural recipes, cosmetics or hair removal tools, as these methods can irritate the infant's skin and cause allergies. You can rest assured, if your baby is born with a quantity of thick hair known as "fluff", these hairs will completely disappear on their own within a few months.

What are the risks associated with the hair hormone test?

 

- Feeling pain or bruising at the injection site.

- Possibility of infection.

- Possibility of bleeding.

What is the cost of the hair hormone test?

 

The cost of the hair hormone test varies depending on the type of test and the place where it is performed.

Note: It is necessary to consult a doctor before performing any hormonal tests.

Is there a way to prevent hair growth in newborns?

 

The hair that appears on your baby's body and face is a downy hair known as "lanugo", a term derived from the Latin word "lana" which means wool. This hair usually grows on the baby's back, shoulders, forehead, ears and face, and begins to appear between the 18th and 20th week of pregnancy. This hair is very important, as researchers believe that it protects the baby's skin during pregnancy, as it is surrounded by amniotic fluid that may affect his skin. Therefore, it is covered with a white waxy substance that protects his entire body, and the lanugo hair works to fix this substance to protect his skin. As for the validity of some recipes that we inherited from our mothers and grandmothers to get rid of newborn hair, the matter requires careful study to find out whether these recipes are harmful to the baby or not.

**Wiping the baby's face with breast milk** There is a common belief that leaving the baby's hair withoutRemoval may lead to heavy hair growth on the face and body, which prompts many mothers to use home recipes to get rid of facial hair, such as wiping the child's face with a cotton ball soaked in breast milk and massaging it several times. But the truth is that breast milk does not contribute to reducing or preventing hair growth, but rather the massage process itself is what helps remove the fluffy and weak hair, making it easier to remove. However, this method has its benefits, as many studies have shown that breast milk has great benefits when used topically on the child's skin, the most prominent of which are: soothing skin rashes, treating eczema and relieving itching, treating facial pimples common among newborns, and treating and preventing ear infections. Although massage may speed up the removal of facial hair and skin dandruff that may appear in newborns, caution must be exercised when massaging the child's skin due to its sensitivity, in addition to the fact that the bones of the head are weak, which may lead to unwanted problems. **Wipe the baby's face with rose water** We all know the benefits of rose water for the skin, as it helps delay the appearance of pimples, moisturize the skin, restore its freshness, and prevent eczema and others. Rose water has been used as one of the inherited recipes to get rid of facial hair in infants, by dipping a piece of cotton in rose water, squeezing it, and then using it to massage the baby's face several times after birth to get rid of facial hair. Although massage may help get rid of facial hair in infants faster, as we mentioned, massaging with rose water may be harmful, especially since most of its types available in the markets contain artificial scents and colors, which may harm your little one's skin and cause skin irritation, so avoid this method, dear. You can use rose water to help your baby sleep, by placing a piece of cotton soaked in rose water, as its scent helps calm the little one and promote his sleep. You can also use it on his clothes as an alternative to children's perfumes, but do not put it directly on the baby's skin. **The Bat's Hair Removal Method**

The Bat's Hair Removal Method is a traditional recipe that dates back to the Roman era, and is still used in some villages and cities as a way to remove body hair in girls. This method depends on slaughtering a bat and using its blood to massage the body of a girl who has not yet reached forty days, as the blood is left for two hours and then removed with warm water and salt, focusing on sensitive areas and under the armpit. Some believe that bat blood may help damage hair follicles, preventing it from growing again. Some who have tried this method have confirmed that it is effective in removing children's hair. However, even if we assume that this method may achieve results, it carries great risks. Doctors indicate that the bat can be a carrier of many viruses, including SARS and Corona, which may expose the girl to many diseases, especially since the immune system of newborns is weak. Therefore, this method is considered one of the most dangerous methods that may threaten the health of the infant, especially since the blood may spread to the mouth or eyes, leading to multiple diseases. There is no scientific evidence to prove that this method is capable of damaging hair follicles or preventing its growth.

**Chicken gall** Some women resort to extracting the substance found in chicken gall and using it as a body lotion, with the aim of getting rid of excess hair permanently.

**The harms of false beliefs on health**

There are some myths related to removing excess hair that do not harm women when followed, such as using breast milk. However, myths such as using chicken gall and bat blood pose a health risk and may lead to the transmission of infection. Hatta explains that bat blood and chicken gall contain harmful bacteria that can infect humans when they come into contact with their skin. These substances not only affect the skin or outer skin, but may also cause infections in the respiratory system, eyes, and digestive system. The risks increase especially if children swallow any of these substances, due to their weak immunity, which increases the likelihood of them developing serious skin diseases, such as:

- Skin sensitivity

- Severe itching

- Redness

- Skin infections, especially in sensitive areas, due to bat blood and chicken bile containing germs and bacteria.

**Cases that require consulting a doctor to increase the density of the newborn's hair**

If the hair continues to appear without falling out or decreasing in density after the child completes his fourth month, or if the hair is limited to the spine area only.

It is also recommended to visit a doctor if the length and density of the hair increases significantly over time.

In these cases, the doctor may recommend conducting some blood tests for the child and examining the gland levels, with the aim of determining the causes of this abnormal hair growth that leads to the density of the newborn's body hair. This may be related to an imbalance in the child's hormonal balance, which helps in reaching the appropriate treatment.

***Tips for dealing with excess hair in the infant:

There is no need to worry! The presence of excess hair in the infant is common and often temporary.

Avoid forcibly removing excess hair, as this may cause irritation to the baby's skin.

If you are concerned about excess hair, do not hesitate to consult your doctor.

Note: Excess hair in an infant can be a cause for concern for parents. It is important to discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.

**Getting rid of excess hair in infants:**

**Important note:** It is preferable not to use any method to remove excess hair in infants without consulting a doctor first.

**Temporary methods for removing excess hair:**

- **Shaving:** This is one of the most common methods, but it may make the hair appear coarser when it grows back.

- **Hair removal creams:** These creams dissolve the hair, but they may cause skin irritation in some infants.

- **Waxing:** Removes hair from the roots, but it may be painful for the infant.

Permanent methods for removing excess hair:

- Hair removal with a needleLaser: It is preferable to avoid using laser to remove hair on infants.

- Electrolysis: It is recommended not to use electrolysis to remove hair on infants.