Have you ever been surprised to see a layer of fine, thin hair on your newborn baby's back, shoulders, or ears? As a parent, you may have been a little worried. "Is something wrong with my baby?" You may have wondered. But don't worry, this is what we call 'lanugo' in medical terms. This is a very common condition that is often seen in newborns, especially premature babies.
Simply put, what is lanugo?
Lanugo is the first type of hair to grow on a baby's body while it's still in the womb. It's very fine, soft, and feels like the flesh on a small peach. It's found all over the baby's body, especially on the back, shoulders, and neck. It doesn't grow on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, or lips.
This lanugo usually begins to develop between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. In most cases, it falls off on its own before the baby is born, during the last 8 weeks of pregnancy. However, some babies, especially premature babies, may still have this lanugo on their bodies at birth. It is not something to worry about at all.
Why does this lanugo develop in babies? What are its benefits?
This little layer of hair serves several very important functions for the baby in the mother's womb. It's not something that just happens.
- Protecting the baby's skin: Imagine, the baby is in a water-like liquid, that is, amniotic fluid, for months. If exposed to this liquid for a long time, the baby's delicate skin can be damaged. So, to protect the baby's skin from this, a thick, cheese-like coating called 'vernix' is formed on the baby's skin. This layer of vernix helps the skin to adhere well to the skin. It is the lanugo hair layer that helps it. It is like the layer of cement that is applied before plastering a wall.
- Regulating body temperature: The layer of fat needed to keep your baby warm hasn't fully developed in the early stages. So instead, this layer of lanugo acts like a little blanket, helping to keep your baby's body temperature constant.
- Aiding growth: This is a bit of a surprise. As the baby moves around in the womb, this lanugo hair provides a small shock, or stimulus, to the sensory receptors in the baby's skin. This stimulation is believed to help the baby grow. After this hair falls out, this stimulation is lost and the baby's growth rate slows down a bit.
How do I get rid of this hair?
Most of the time, this lanugo is shed before the baby is born. So, this shed hair gets mixed with the amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby. Since the baby swallows this fluid while in the womb, that hair also goes into the baby's digestive system. Eventually, it comes out of the body with the first stool, which is called 'meconium' , after the baby is born.
If your baby has lanugo at birth, don't worry about it. The hair will fall out on its own within a few weeks, maybe a month or two.
After the lanugo is shed, another type of fine hair called 'vellus' develops on the baby's body. Over time, these too will become the normal hair we all have (terminal hair).
Can an adult develop lanugo? Is it dangerous?
This is something we should be very concerned about. While lanugo is normal for a newborn baby, the development of this type of hair on the body of an adult, young child, or toddler can be a warning sign of a serious problem inside the body.
The main cause of lanugo in adults is malnutrition , especially malnutrition associated with eating disorders.
- Anorexia Nervosa
- Bulimia Nervosa
People with conditions like this lose a lot of weight. This causes the body to lose the amount of fat needed to maintain body heat. Simply put, the body starts to feel cold. In response, the body tries to warm itself up. That's when this layer of lanugo hair, just like a baby's, grows.
The development of lanugo in an adult is like the body's cry for help. It means that the body is not getting the nutrition and warmth it needs.
Rarely, lanugo can also develop due to certain types of cancer or tumors such as teratoma . So, if you are an adult, or if you see this fine hair growing on a friend or family member, it is not at all normal.
| Characteristic | Newborn baby | Adult/young child |
|---|---|---|
| Reason | A normal and healthy part of development in the womb. | Often malnutrition, eating disorders, rarely other medical conditions. |
| Meaning | A symptom that is normal and nothing to worry about. | A warning sign that requires immediate medical attention. |
| Treatment | No need. It will go away on its own. | The underlying cause (e.g., eating disorder) should be treated. |
Do you want to remove lanugo?
Regarding babies
No. Do not do that for any reason. A baby's skin is very delicate. If you try to remove this hair by waxing, shaving, or any other method, there is a high chance of damaging the baby's skin, causing redness, and causing infection. The hair is temporary. Be patient until it falls out on its own.
Regarding adults
For an adult, this hair can be removed by shaving or waxing. But that's like cutting off a tree branch. As long as the roots are there, the branches will grow back. Similarly, removing hair without treating the underlying condition that causes it is useless. The main thing is not to remove the hair, but to find and treat the cause of the hair growth. When the body is properly nourished and the hair is restored, this hair will fall out on its own.
When should I see a doctor?
- About your baby: If you have any concerns about your baby's lanugo, or if it hasn't reduced in a few months, it's best to talk to your pediatrician at your next clinic visit. If the doctor examines your baby and says everything is normal, you can rest assured.
- If you are an adult or another adult: If you are an adult, or if you see lanugo growing on the body of a friend or family member, it is not a good idea to ignore it. It can be a sign of a serious problem inside the body. Therefore , it is essential to see a doctor as soon as possible and seek advice. Then, the necessary tests can be done, the real cause can be found, and the right treatment can be started.
Take-Home Message
- It is completely normal and harmless for a newborn baby, especially a premature baby, to have a fine layer of hair called lanugo on their body.
- This fur helps keep the baby safe and warm while in the womb. It falls off on its own within a few weeks.
- Never try to remove (shave, wax) lanugo from a baby's body for any reason. It will damage the baby's delicate skin.
- It is not normal for lanugo to grow on the body of an adult, young child, or toddler. It can often be a sign of a serious health problem, such as malnutrition or an eating disorder.
- If you notice lanugo on yourself or an adult you know, seek medical advice immediately.
- If you have any small concerns about your baby's health, don't hesitate to discuss it with your pediatrician.
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