December 5 2006, 11:34 am PT | Posted in: Other
Hey Doc,
I broke my arm 2 years ago and had a cast for 4 months. After removing the cast, I noticed that the hair on my arms were REALLY thick and sprouted all over the place. It was kind of scary, but after about 2 months all the hair returned to normal.
Can you explain what caused this? I have always been curious.
Many people that are required to wear a cast see what you’ve reported. This occurs because the arm hair which sheds frequently as the short hair cycle pushes out old hair (a half to one inch in length) is protected in the cast so that it does not fall out day be day. Most people with normal bathing and showers will get these old hairs to fall out by a simple scrub.
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I broke my wrist at several places and my hand was in plaster for 6 weeks. The hair got stronger and more just around my wrist and hand but not on my arm which was also covered with the plaster. This contradict a bit to what Dr Rassman said.
My wrist has been broken and in plaster up to the elbow. I notice that I have thick Black hair growing on the site of the injury ONLY on the back of my hand.(I have very fair colouring and have NO black hair) This also contradicts what Dr Rassman said.