Lanugo or body hair in newborn babies disappears within the first few weeks of their birth. Read on to find more about the causes of body hair problems in newborns and treatments for body hair problems in them. The newborn’s body is filled with soft fine hair. Clinically they are termed as Lanugo and are present all over the back, shoulders and even the face. In most cases it is found that this lanugo is more or less shed in the uterus itself and the baby is delivered with lesser hair on its body. But this body hair remains in babies who are born premature. However, there is no cause to worry, most of this hair is likely to disappear within a few weeks post birth. In this articleWhat is This Hair Problem?It is Normal to Have Body HairOther Causes of Body Hair in NewbornsWhat is The Treatment for CAH?What is This Hair Problem? With some observation you will find that the upper layer of the skin flakes off within the first week of the birth of child. This is an absolutely normal condition and you do not need to follow any specific skin care routine for this. In some infants one can find that the peeling of the skin has already started when they are born, that is, the shedding of the top layer had already commenced when the baby was in the uterus. Some may be born with just flaky skin, while some may have excessive hair on their entire body. Parents need to understand that this body hair is nothing abnormal and the baby is in a perfectly normal and fine condition. It is Normal to Have Body Hair As explained earlier, if you find your newborn with a lot of body hair, there is nothing to worry about. You will notice that it is the existing hair that the baby is born with, and if you find that there is an increase in the density of hair, you might need to consult your pediatrician. Let us understand as to what exactly causes the body hair on babies. This lanugo or body hair is actually a protective covering on the skin when the baby is inside the womb. Other Causes of Body Hair in Newborns If you notice an excessive amount of body hair in your baby, it is not natural. It is then not a normal case of the lanugo that sheds within a couple of weeks post delivery. Consult your pediatrician immediately as this might be a case of CAH or Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia. In this condition, the baby is not born with the particular enzyme that promotes the production of hormones. The hormones in question are Cortisol and/or Aldosterone. When these hormones are lacking or deficient, it implies that the baby’s system will produce more male hormones or androgens, than required. This is regardless of the infant being male or female. When the presence of this male hormone goes overboard, the female infant will have an abnormal amount of body hair. It is also noticed that babies born with CAH condition also lack in sodium concentration in their blood stream. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention as it can result in dehydration, abnormal functioning of the heart and even shock. What is The Treatment for CAH? As a parent when you find that your newborn is holding on to the lanugo even after two weeks post delivery, you must consult your doctor and get the infant examined well. For treating a baby born with CAH condition, the objective is to attain a balance in the hormone levels. Synthetic hormones are administered or steroid medications are recommended to deal with the problem. The doctors need to be careful that the hormones administered are at par with the age and gender of the respective infant. You may be waiting or believing that your little bundle of joy will be placed on your hands with that creamy soft tone, but in reality that happens after a while. You have to understand that the newborn is always born with a flaky skin. The peeling happens within the first week or just post delivery. Whatever the case is, you are simply required to follow the regular skin care as suggested by your pediatrician and in due time you will be greeted with that baby soft creamy puddle curling and giggling in your arms.
Lanugo or body hair in newborn babies disappears within the first few weeks of their birth. Read on to find more about the causes of body hair problems in newborns and treatments for body hair problems in them. The newborn’s body is filled with soft fine hair. Clinically they are termed as Lanugo and are present all over the back, shoulders and even the face. In most cases it is found that this lanugo is more or less shed in the uterus itself and the baby is delivered with lesser hair on its body. But this body hair remains in babies who are born
premature. However, there is no cause to worry, most of this hair is likely to disappear within a few weeks post birth.
What is This Hair Problem?
With some observation you will find that the upper layer of the skin flakes off within the first week of the birth of child. This is an absolutely normal condition and you do not need to follow any specific skin care routine for this. In some infants one can find that the peeling of the skin has already started when they are born, that is, the shedding of the top layer had already commenced when the baby was in the uterus.
Some may be born with just flaky skin, while some may have excessive hair on their entire body. Parents need to understand that this body hair is nothing abnormal and the baby is in a perfectly normal and fine condition.
It is Normal to Have Body Hair
As explained earlier, if you find your newborn with a lot of body hair, there is nothing to worry about. You will notice that it is the existing hair that the baby is born with, and if you find that there is an increase in the density of hair, you might need to consult your pediatrician. Let us understand as to what exactly causes the body hair on babies. This lanugo or body hair is actually a protective covering on the skin when the baby is inside the womb.
Other Causes of Body Hair in Newborns
If you notice an excessive amount of body hair in your baby, it is not natural. It is then not a normal case of the lanugo that sheds within a couple of weeks post delivery. Consult your pediatrician immediately as this might be a case of CAH or Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia.
In this condition, the baby is not born with the particular enzyme that promotes the production of hormones. The hormones in question are Cortisol and/or Aldosterone. When these hormones are lacking or deficient, it implies that the baby’s system will produce more male hormones or androgens, than required. This is regardless of the infant being male or female.
When the presence of this male hormone goes overboard, the female infant will have an abnormal amount of body hair. It is also noticed that babies born with CAH condition also lack in sodium concentration in their blood stream. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention as it can result in dehydration, abnormal functioning of the heart and even shock.
What is The Treatment for CAH?
As a parent when you find that your newborn is holding on to the lanugo even after two weeks post delivery, you must consult your doctor and get the infant examined well. For treating a baby born with CAH condition, the objective is to attain a balance in the hormone levels. Synthetic hormones are administered or steroid medications are recommended to deal with the problem. The doctors need to be careful that the hormones administered are at par with the age and gender of the respective infant.
You may be waiting or believing that your little bundle of joy will be placed on your hands with that creamy soft tone, but in reality that happens after a while. You have to understand that the newborn is always born with a flaky skin. The peeling happens within the first week or just post delivery. Whatever the case is, you are simply required to follow the regular skin care as suggested by your pediatrician and in due time you will be greeted with that baby soft creamy puddle curling and giggling in your arms.
