What is hypertrichosis lanuginosa acquisita?
Hypertrichosis lanuginosa acquisita is a very rare condition characterised by the rapid growth of long, fine, lanugo-type (i.e.: fetal) hair particularly around the eyebrows, forehead, ears and nose. It is similar to congenital hypertrichosis lanuginosa (see hypertrichosis) except that it appears later on in adulthood and in most cases associated with an underlying cancer. Although the face is the most commonly affected area, some patients have extensive involvement that includes the trunk, axillae and extremities. Palms, soles, scalp and pubic regions tend to be spared. The hair referred to as ‘malignant down’ is fine, thin and unpigmented. Lanugo hairs are normally present from the third month of foetal life through to the end of gestation and are shed almost completely before birth. Other associated symptoms include glossitis, a bumpy enlarged tongue, disturbances of taste and smell, and, less frequently, diarrhoea, weight loss, and enlarged lymph glands. Other paraneoplastic skin c
