Different Skin Conditions That Affect Hair Growth on the Face

Facial hair is affected by overall health and well-being, just like hair on the scalp. Different skin conditions exist that can cause symptoms such as facial hair loss, excessive hair growth or even patchy hair growth on the face. Knowing the underlying conditions that affect facial hair can help you take steps to treat the problem.

Alopecia Areata

• Alopecia Areata is a skin condition which has a direct impact on facial hair. Though additional symptoms associated with Alopecia Areata also affect hair on the scalp, facial hair can become patchy. Clumps of hair can fall out in random patterns. The most common area impacted are beards that become patchy and not filled in as a result of this condition. Alopecia Areata is one form of Alopecia, which is is the broad skin condition associated with hair loss.

Hirsutism

• Hirsutism, also sometimes referred to as frazonism, is a skin condition that affects women. It is characterized by an excessive amount of hair growth in unwanted areas, such as the face. Women suffering from this skin condition develop facial hair similar to a man's. In addition, women with this condition may also develop excess hair in locations such as on arms and on the chest. Though not a disease on its own, hirsutism is a symptom associated with other diseases and is considered a skin condition -- since the excessive hair growth in unusual areas on women is not a normal occurrence. The clinical term for this type of excessive hair growth is referred to as hypertrichosis.

Seborrheic Dermatitis

• Seborrheic Dermatitis is a variation of Dermatitis, which is the blanket definition of skin conditions. Seborrheic Dermatitis refers to a skin condition which produces patches of dry and flaky skin, itching, inflammation of skin follicles with associated pustules and eventual scabbing of the skin. Since this condition directly affects skin and the hair follicles that reside on the skin, hair growth on the face can be negatively impacted. Due to the clogging of pores as a result of oily buildup in hair follicles, facial hair loss can be a result of Seborrheic Dermatitis.

Folliculitis

• Folliculitis is a skin condition which is the inflammation of the hair follicles themselves. When the follicles are inflamed, and thus not able to support or sustain healthy hair growth, the hair can fall out as a result. An even greater risk associated with folliculitis occurs when the follicles become infected with dangerous bacteria, such as Staphylococcus. Due to the blocked pores, facial hair grows erratically and when shaved or trimmed; infection can occur.

Ringworm

• Ringworm is an infection which is fungal in nature. Though ringworm can present anywhere on the body, ringworm that has spread to or has been contracted on the face can cause problems with facial hair. When ringworm is on the scalp, patches of hair can be lost due to the fungus making hair growth and stability impossible. The same issue occurs when ringworm spreads to the face. Hair loss occurs and new hair growth does not return until the fungal infection has been treated and cleared up.