Preferred methods of excess hair removal in pediatric patients with lung transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Hypertrichosis is common among recipients of lung transplantation taking cyclosporine and it poses a special psychosocial problem in children. Children and parents frequently inquire about methods of hair removal.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine preferred methods of hair removal in this population.


METHODS
We distributed a questionnaire to 104 pediatric recipients of lung transplantation. A total of 56 questionnaires (54%) were completed.


RESULTS
Of respondents, 91% (51 of 56) experienced hypertrichosis, 75% (38 of 51) of whom attempted treatment. Depilatory cream was the most common hair removal technique (79%, 30 of 38). Shaving, particularly with an electric razor, received the highest ratings of both satisfaction and likelihood of future use.


CONCLUSIONS
Generalizability is limited by the response rate. Preferred methods according to different hair locations were not evaluated.


CONCLUSIONS
In our pediatric transplantation population, depilatory cream was the most commonly used treatment for hypertrichosis whereas electric shaving had the highest ratings of satisfaction and future use.
Fisher
Emily J
EJ
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, Washington University School of Medicine, USA.
Berk
David R
DR
Greene
Riley E
RE
Shaner
Pegi
P
Sweet
Stuart C
SC
Mallory
Susan Bayliss
SB
D005260:Female; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006983:Hypertrichosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016040:Lung Transplantation; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000628:therapy*