Senior Member Time to do something Posted June 20, 2010 Senior Member Share Posted June 20, 2010 This has to do with hair loss but not on the head. I recently noticed (it may have been this way for a long time) that the hair on the outside of my legs just above the ankles is smooth bald with no hair while the rest of my legs are very hairy. I got online trying to figure out what the cause of this could be and was surprised to discover a lot of guys posting this very same question. I saw answers including everything from decreased circulation to wearing tight socks, to a form of male pattern baldness on the legs. Does anyone else have this problem and have any clue what causes it? I know it isn’t socks because I have hair in an area that my socks cover and we all know tight hats don’t cause baldness. Thanks! NW5 Dr. Epstein July 4, 2007 2520 grafts 471 one hair grafts 1540 two hair grafts 505 three hair grafts 5070 Total hair count Dr. Epstein August 4, 2008 2384 grafts 870 one hair grafts 1150 two hair grafts 364 three and four hair grafts 4262 Total hair count Dr. Ron Shapiro November 18, 2009 1896 grafts 760 one hair grafts 852 two hair grafts 288 three hair grafts 46 four hair grafts 3362 total hair count Dr. Ron Shapiro July 1, 2011 1191 grafts 447 one hair grafts 580 two hair grafts 150 three hair grafts 14 four hair grafts 2113 total hair count Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Maxxy Posted June 20, 2010 Senior Member Share Posted June 20, 2010 Hey Time to do something, Here in the UK we have a TV show called Quite Interesting (QI), it's sort of a comedy/educational show. I remember an episode a while back in which they were discussing hair growth, and the same thing you are wondering came up. It turns out that hair loss in that area is extremely common as men age, I can't remember if they gave a reason for the loss but there is a presenter and 4 guests all of which checked their legs and all noted loss in the area above the ankle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Blake Bloxham Posted June 20, 2010 Senior Member Share Posted June 20, 2010 Time to do something, You're right, this is a commonly discussed problem on the internet. However, it seems much more difficult to find answers. From my research, it seems as if there are two schools of thought: 1. a type of hormonal/genetic hair loss in middle aged men (35 years and over) or 2. a type of traction alopecia (hair loss from pulling or tension on the hairs) from wearing tight socks and continually crossing one's legs. Either way, it appears as if most experts don't suggest any oral or topical medications for the issue, though switching to low-cut socks may help if the ankle hair loss is caused by traction-alopecia. "Doc" Blake Bloxham - formerly "Future_HT_Doc" Forum Co-Moderator and Editorial Assistant for the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog, and the Hair Restoration Forum All opinions are my own and my advice does not constitute as medical advice. All medical questions and concerns should be addressed by a personal physician. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Time to do something Posted June 20, 2010 Author Senior Member Share Posted June 20, 2010 Hey Time to do something, Here in the UK we have a TV show called Quite Interesting (QI), it's sort of a comedy/educational show. I remember an episode a while back in which they were discussing hair growth, and the same thing you are wondering came up. It turns out that hair loss in that area is extremely common as men age, I can't remember if they gave a reason for the loss but there is a presenter and 4 guests all of which checked their legs and all noted loss in the area above the ankle. Fascinating. Did they say what in the aging process causes lower extremity hair loss? Just one more lovely thing one goes through as they get older. LOL NW5 Dr. Epstein July 4, 2007 2520 grafts 471 one hair grafts 1540 two hair grafts 505 three hair grafts 5070 Total hair count Dr. Epstein August 4, 2008 2384 grafts 870 one hair grafts 1150 two hair grafts 364 three and four hair grafts 4262 Total hair count Dr. Ron Shapiro November 18, 2009 1896 grafts 760 one hair grafts 852 two hair grafts 288 three hair grafts 46 four hair grafts 3362 total hair count Dr. Ron Shapiro July 1, 2011 1191 grafts 447 one hair grafts 580 two hair grafts 150 three hair grafts 14 four hair grafts 2113 total hair count Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Time to do something Posted June 20, 2010 Author Senior Member Share Posted June 20, 2010 Time to do something, You're right, this is a commonly discussed problem on the internet. However, it seems much more difficult to find answers. From my research, it seems as if there are two schools of thought: 1. a type of hormonal/genetic hair loss in middle aged men (35 years and over) or 2. a type of traction alopecia (hair loss from pulling or tension on the hairs) from wearing tight socks and continually crossing one's legs. Either way, it appears as if most experts don't suggest any oral or topical medications for the issue, though switching to low-cut socks may help if the ankle hair loss is caused by traction-alopecia. Thanks for that information. I’m inclined to believe mine is not from traction alopecia because it is only on one side of my leg. The inside of my leg has hair on it near the ankle which is also covered by my socks. It must be a genetic or hormonal issue. I read where men can have genetic hair loss on their legs just like MPB on their head. I’ve learned something today. On me it is not noticeable because I have light colored hair and even if it were noticeable I wouldn’t care because it doesn’t bother me. I was more concerned it might be from a health condition like poor circulation. Hair on the head is a different story though without that I feel naked. NW5 Dr. Epstein July 4, 2007 2520 grafts 471 one hair grafts 1540 two hair grafts 505 three hair grafts 5070 Total hair count Dr. Epstein August 4, 2008 2384 grafts 870 one hair grafts 1150 two hair grafts 364 three and four hair grafts 4262 Total hair count Dr. Ron Shapiro November 18, 2009 1896 grafts 760 one hair grafts 852 two hair grafts 288 three hair grafts 46 four hair grafts 3362 total hair count Dr. Ron Shapiro July 1, 2011 1191 grafts 447 one hair grafts 580 two hair grafts 150 three hair grafts 14 four hair grafts 2113 total hair count Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Senior Member Time to do something Posted June 20, 2010 Author Senior Member Share Posted June 20, 2010 This "Hair Loss" Question was moved but I'm not sure where it was moved to. NW5 Dr. Epstein July 4, 2007 2520 grafts 471 one hair grafts 1540 two hair grafts 505 three hair grafts 5070 Total hair count Dr. Epstein August 4, 2008 2384 grafts 870 one hair grafts 1150 two hair grafts 364 three and four hair grafts 4262 Total hair count Dr. Ron Shapiro November 18, 2009 1896 grafts 760 one hair grafts 852 two hair grafts 288 three hair grafts 46 four hair grafts 3362 total hair count Dr. Ron Shapiro July 1, 2011 1191 grafts 447 one hair grafts 580 two hair grafts 150 three hair grafts 14 four hair grafts 2113 total hair count Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill - Seemiller Posted June 21, 2010 Share Posted June 21, 2010 TTDS, To see where this topic has been moved, look at the top of this discussion topic. Best wishes, Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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