A LACK OF HAIR ON YOUR LEGS

A LACK of hair on the lower legs may be a sign of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), where there is a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries in the legs, which then restricts blood supply to the muscles there. This may also cause swelling in the calves. ‘This leads to a lack of blood getting to the hair follicles — the cells which surround the root of the hair — so hair doesn’t grow,’ says consultant vascular surgeon John Scurr. In some people, hairlessness may be the only symptom, but others may also have pain when walking. Around one in five people over 60 is affected. Causes include high blood pressure and raised cholesterol, so you should have levels checked by a GP. Walking can help because it improves circulation.