AboutPeter J. Panagotacos, <B>M.D.</B> Expertise I have 30 years experience in the field of medical and surgical Hair Restoration and am Board Certified
in Dermatology and Hair Restoration Surgery.
Experience I have 30 years experience in the field of medical and surgical Hair Restoration and am Board Certified
in Dermatology and Hair Restoration Surgery.
More information can be found at my website
www.hairdoc.com
I’m a 28 year old man. Over the last month or so some, but not all of the pubic hair under my scrotum has developed a strange colour and texture. The affected hair also breaks fairly easily
The normal colour is blown/black, but affected hairs are sandy yellow/orange in colour.
The texture has changed from the usual wiry consistency to rough and knobbled, it's almost as if the hair has been dipped in honey and left to dry. Visually, unaffected hairs don’t differ (root to tip) too much in width, affected hairs are usually slightly wider in diameter and change width constantly.
Affected hair can be snapped/broken and (some, not all) pulled out without causing much pain. With unaffected hairs this is not really possible without excruciating pain.
The problem does not appear in patches it’s not located to a specific area, the problem is fairly even distributed all over the underside of my scrotum. Affected hairs are mixed with unaffected hairs (side by side). An affected hair displays problems from root to tip, although the changing of width and colour intensity is far more prominent at the tip than at the root.
I’ve not experienced this problem anywhere else, other bodily hair seems to be normal, no other side effects are present (rash, itching, pain, discomfort etc).
My questions.
Do I have anything to worry about?
Is it likely to spread?
What causes the problem: Is it fungal/bacterial?*
How can I treat/cure it?
Does it have a name?
Is it common?
*I have a feeling it maybe sweat related? – Not that I sweat profusely in the groin region, I have recently (8 months ago) moved to a slightly warmer country (the summer is now gone). The interesting thing is not every hair is affected.
Thanks for your time. I hope I’ve given you enough details.
Regards.
Bob
Answer I think this may be due to a relatively mild infection affecting the hair shafts -- called Trichomycosis-- usually in the armpits but can be seen in the groin. A nice description of this condition is at:
"Trichomycosis is a bacterial infection of the hair shaft found in sweat gland–bearing areas; it has been described most commonly in the axillary region. While initially believed to be uncommon in the inguinal region, a series of papers have described trichomycosis particular to the inguinal area and have suggested that this disease is underestimated in the general population."
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It could also be due to rubbing- increased friction -- causing the hair shafts to grow abnormally and to be more brittle. I can not guarantee the diagnosis without actually seeing the condition.
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For Trichomycosis:
If you see a dermatologist you will be able to confirm this diagnosis and get a treatment for the bacterial overgrowth on the hair shafts.
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Do I have anything to worry about? -- "Probably not"
Is it likely to spread? --- "It may go to the axillae"
What causes the problem: Is it fungal/bacterial?* "
Bacterial most likely"
How can I treat/cure it? " you should see a dermatologist"
Does it have a name? "Most likely Trichomycosis"
Is it common?
" Dermatologists see it commonly but many non dermatology doctors may not have ever seen a case"
