Children's Health

Underarm hair develpopment

06/23/2000

Question:

Should underarm hair development be symetrical? My 15 year old son has losts of hair under right arm but virtually none under left. Is this normal? or reason for concern?

Answer:

At age 15 years teen age boys are still developing. Their hormones are reaching or heading towards peak years so lack of symmetry of axillary hair growth is not too surprising. Pubic hair growth tends to develop any time between 10-16 years of age and facial, chest or extremity hair can develop between 12-17 years.
One way to determine if there is merit for concern or not is to notice the hair growth on other parts of his body such as his arms or legs. Is there also less hair on the left leg versus the right? This may just be a pattern of his hair growth. Compare his hair growth to his father`s recollection of his own as family history offers much valuable insight into patterns of growth and development.
The problem may be more of embarrassment or teasing by his friends than an indication of a physical problem. If he can make light of it, saying something to the effect that "that is the side I save on deoderant!", it will help to put his friends off for him.
Certainly on the other hand patterns of early baldness or lack of hair growth could be indicative of other endocrine problems, but there are usually other indicators, such as short stature, lack of voice change, etc. Discuss these with his pediatrician or physician should the concern continue for him and you. And remind him that his development is not yet complete.

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Response by:

Marcia Hern, RN, EdD
Formerly:
College of Nursing
University of Cincinnati