Tag: Lanugo

Lanugo, the fine, downy hair that can appear on the body, is a common symptom of anorexia nervosa, indicating extreme malnutrition and weight loss. It is the body's attempt to regulate temperature when there is insufficient body fat to provide insulation.

Contrary to the popular misconception implied in the question, starvation does not cause a healthy head of hair to grow; in fact, severe malnutrition most often leads to significant scalp hair loss. The real scientific explanation for why hair grows during starvation involves a rare physiological adaptation where the body sprouts a fine, downy layer of body hair, called lanugo, in a desperate attempt to stay warm.