Why Am I Losing Leg Hair? It May Be an Arterial Issue
Author: StrideCare Internal Team
Anthony knew he’d go bald eventually. His father started losing hair in his 40s, and both of his grandfathers were completely bald. What Anthony didn’t anticipate, in addition to typical male pattern baldness, was losing hair on his legs—first on his shins and then his thighs. “Why am I losing leg hair?” he asked his doctor. The answer was shocking and may just surprise you, too. Anthony’s issue is likely an arterial condition known as peripheral arterial disease.
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects approximately 6.5 million people age 40 and older. It is characterized by a plaque buildup on the walls of the major blood vessels or arteries, causing them to narrow. This leads to a variety of uncomfortable symptoms, but there are also less obvious ones that aren’t painful at all but equally as telling.
Besides losing leg hair, a few changes in the appearance of extremities with PAD can include:
- Change in skin color (reddish blue)
- Smooth, shiny skin
- Skin that is cool to the touch
- Decreased or absent pulses in the feet
- Decreased toenail growth
Why Does Leg Hair Fall Out With PAD?
Our veins and arteries are a very intricate and interconnected web of networking that allows blood to flow properly to and from the heart and throughout our body. When everything is working great, we are healthy and active without a care in the world. But over time, our veins can become diseased as we age, and our arteries can develop a buildup of plaque. These blockages or narrowing drastically limit blood flow, which impacts hair growth.
Blood from the blood vessels wherever hair typically grows feeds the root. This creates more cells and prompts hair growth. Essentially, without proper blood circulation, hair cannot grow.
Unsurprisingly, many people don’t notice that they are losing leg hair. And if they do, they don’t think it’s a sign of something more serious because they are too focused on more painful or noticeable symptoms:
- Painful cramping in the legs or hips — Occurs when walking or exercising and stops when the person stops the activity. Patients may also experience burning or aching pain in their feet or toes when resting, typically at night.
- Open sores that don’t heal — Ulcers come in all shapes, sizes, and severity and form on the legs, feet, toes, heels, and ankles. Leg wounds take a considerable amount of time to heal.
- Leg numbness — Toes or legs that feel numb throughout the day are a telltale sign that your veins are not allowing for proper blood flow and circulation. This can also lead to skin discoloration and aching feet.
- Erectile dysfunction — This is particularly true for men who have diabetes.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), up to 4 in 10 people with PAD don’t experience any leg pain, numbness, or open sores—at least not at first. Instead, they are losing leg hair and notice changes in the appearance of their legs.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), up to 4 in 10 people with PAD don’t experience any leg pain, numbness, or open sores—at least not at first. Instead, they are losing leg hair and notice changes in the appearance of their legs.
Can I Get My Leg Hair Back?
There is no guarantee that your lost leg hair will return. Increasing blood flow and circulation with peripheral artery disease treatment can provide relief and slow disease progression, reverse painful symptoms, improve mobility, and encourage hair growth in areas that are thinning or completely bald.
It’s important to treat poor circulation, arterial and venous disease as early as possible. If you suspect you’re losing leg hair because of peripheral artery disease, you should get checked right away by a vascular specialist. A quick test can help your doctor understand how severe your condition is and suggest a treatment plan that fits your needs.
Below are a few risk factors for leg hair loss and other PAD symptoms that may be changed or treated:
- High cholesterol and high blood pressure
- Smoking
- Obesity and physical inactivity
- Diabetes
- Coronary artery disease
Your doctor may also suggest minimally invasive treatments. Below are a few options:
- Angioplasty — Your vascular specialist will use a balloon system to open up narrowed or blocked arteries. A catheter is inserted through a small incision and advanced to the affected artery. There is minimal downtime.
- Atherectomy — This procedure uses advanced laser technology to clear away plaque that has built up on large blood vessels that are responsible for bringing oxygenated blood to the heart. It can be performed on its own but is often combined with angioplasty and stenting.
- Stenting — Stenting is more advanced and involves using a small mesh tube to keep a closed-off blood vessel open for the long term. This procedure greatly reduces the chance of a reoccurring blockage.
StrideCare Can Help You Understand Why You’re Losing Leg Hair
Losing leg hair is not something anyone should sweep under the rug. Even if there is a little bit of hair loss, or you notice that your leg hair is unnaturally thin in certain areas, you can see a vascular specialist to check if this is related to peripheral arterial disease.
Our expert doctors and caring staff at StrideCare utilize the latest technologies and minimally invasive procedures to help our patients with a variety of vein and artery diseases. The vascular physicians at StrideCare are board-certified diagnostic radiologists with additional fellowship training in vascular and interventional radiology.
Prior to starting any new treatment or questions regarding a medical condition, always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health provider. This information is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
StrideCare serves the South Texas area including Houston, San Antonio, Austin, Round Rock, Bastrop, Brushy Creek, Cedar Park, Converse, Georgetown, Hutto, Kyle, Leander, Marble Falls, New Braunfels, Pasadena, Pearland, Pflugerville, San Marcos, Schertz, Houston, Sugar Land, Katy, Webster, Bay City, Clear Lake, Lake Jackson, The Woodlands, Universal City, Spring, Kingwood, Stafford, Conroe, Texas City, Cypress, League City, Bellaire, and more.
