You might be a little worried when you see your newborn baby has very fine, tiny hairs all over their body. You might be thinking, "What is this? Is this just happening to my baby?" But don't worry, most of the time this is very normal. Today, we're going to talk about this tiny hair, or lanugo.
What is Lanugo?
Simply put, lanugo is a very fine, soft hair that covers a baby's body while it is in the womb. It's like cotton wool. This layer of hair protects the baby's skin and keeps it warm. Some babies still have this lanugo hair when they are born, especially premature babies . However, this is not just for babies. Sometimes people with feeding problems or certain types of tumors can also develop this type of hair.
Who gets lanugo? Let's take a look.
This fine layer of hair called lanugo is most commonly found on the bodies of fetuses and newborns. However, as I mentioned before, it can be seen in other situations as well.
Fetal development
When a baby is developing in the womb, this lanugo hair begins to develop between 16 and 20 weeks. Imagine, the baby's entire body is covered in this fine hair. However, this hair does not develop in places where hair follicles do not form, such as the lips, palms, nails, genitals, and soles of the feet.
Most of the time, this lanugo falls out before the baby is born. However, some babies, especially premature babies , are born with this hair on their body. However, there is nothing to worry about, it falls out on its own after a few days.
People with anorexia or bulimia
Children and adults with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa can also develop lanugo. Doctors believe that this hair develops as the body tries to keep warm when it is undernourished. This is actually an indication that the person is severely malnourished.
Certain types of tumors
Lanugo can also develop in people with a very rare type of germ cell tumor called ``Teratoma.`` There have also been several reports of lanugo developing due to cancer.
What are the special benefits of lanugo for babies?
Lanugo is not just a layer of hair. It is very important for the development of the baby in the womb.
- Skin protection: Lanugo helps protect the baby's delicate skin.
- Providing warmth: This layer of hair helps keep the baby warm inside the womb.
- Helps the vernix stick together: You must have noticed that newborn babies have a white, cheesy substance on their skin, right? That's what's called vernix caseosa . This vernix prevents the amniotic fluid around the baby from damaging the baby's skin. So, the lanugo is what keeps the vernix stuck to the baby's skin. Both of these work together to protect the baby's skin and help it retain heat.
- Helps with growth: This is a bit of a surprise. As the baby moves around in the womb, the lanugo hairs stimulate the sensory receptors on the baby's skin. This stimulation is said to speed up the baby's growth. When the lanugo is shed, this stimulation is lost and the baby's growth rate slows down a bit. How exactly this happens is still being researched.
Think of it this little strip of hair is like a protective, warm coat for the baby inside the womb.
When does lanugo fall out?
Most babies start shedding lanugo shortly before birth, around the last eight weeks of pregnancy . The hair that is shed in this way mixes with the amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby. Since babies swallow this amniotic fluid while in the womb, this lanugo hair also becomes part of their first food. These tiny hairs are passed out with the first stool, called meconium , after the baby is born.
After the lanugo is shed, a finer type of hair called `vellus hair`, similar to the hair on a peach, develops on the baby's body. This `vellus hair` helps regulate body temperature until the permanent hair `terminal hair`, which is found in adults, develops.
Why do adults with eating problems develop lanugo?
This is a very sad situation. The growth of lanugo on the body of adults and sometimes young people with eating disorders such as `(Anorexia Nervosa)`, `(Bulimia Nervosa)` is a sign that they are suffering from severe nutritional deficiencies and malnutrition. Doctors believe that when the body loses enough fat to maintain heat, the body grows this lanugo as a defense mechanism. It tries to provide a little insulation, that is, a cover that keeps the body warm.
What does lanugo look like? What color is it?
Lanugo is a very soft, fine, feather-like hair. If your baby is born with lanugo, it will look like they are covered in a very fine layer of fur all over their body. As I mentioned earlier, it can develop anywhere there is a hair follicle, except on the palms, lips, genitals, nails, and soles of the feet. It is most often seen on a baby's back, shoulders, or lower back.
The color of lanugo can also vary from person to person. This hair can range from very light to dark. The baby's genetic makeup determines this color. For example, a baby with slightly darker skin may have more visible lanugo than a baby with lighter skin.
Is it a problem for a baby to be born with lanugo?
Not at all. It is not a problem for a newborn baby to have lanugo. If your baby was born a little prematurely (before 37 weeks), it is more likely that he or she will have lanugo. Although babies born at term may have less lanugo, it is not impossible. However, this hair will fall out on its own within a few weeks, at most two months.
Sometimes babies may have fine hairs on their ears, down their backs, or at the base of their necks. This is normal and nothing to worry about. But if you have any concerns or questions, it's best to talk to your baby's pediatrician.
What to do if an adult has lanugo?
While it's normal for a baby to have lanugo, if this type of hair suddenly develops on an adult, teenager, or older child, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
- Eating Disorders: In such cases, the first step is to treat the disorder. Lanugo is produced as a protective mechanism by the body, and once the underlying problem is addressed, the hair will stop growing.
- Tumors: If lanugo is caused by a tumor, doctors usually decide to remove the tumor. Even if the tumor is not cancerous, it can burst or cause other problems. If the tumor is cancerous, doctors may recommend chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or both in addition to surgery. When the underlying tumor is treated, lanugo hair stops growing.
Should I remove lanugo hair?
Never remove your baby's lanugo hair. This means you should never wax or shave it. Doing so can damage your baby's very sensitive skin, causing redness and rashes.
If an adult has lanugo, shaving or waxing can be a temporary solution. However, this hair will grow back until the underlying condition is treated.
The most important things we need to remember
Okay, so let's look at some of the most important things to remember from what we've talked about:
- Lanugo is a common occurrence in newborn babies. It will fall off on its own after a few days, so don't worry too much about it.
- If you have any doubts or concerns about your baby's body hair, the best thing to do is to see a pediatrician for advice.
- However, if an adult, teenager, or older child suddenly develops fine hair called lanugo, don't ignore it. It could be a sign of a health problem, especially an eating disorder or, rarely, a tumor.
- If you know someone like that, refer them to a doctor as soon as possible.
Remember, lanugo is a temporary protection provided by nature for babies, but for adults, it can be a warning from the body.
` Lanugo, baby hair, newborns, feeding issues, malnutrition, fetal development, skin protection, (Lanugo), premature birth, eating disorders, pregnancy
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