Why are My Toes Hairy?

What causes hairy toes?

People with hairy toes or feet sometimes refer — with self-deprecating humor — to their feet as hobbit feet. Hobbits are likable characters with large, hairy feet and toes from J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy novels.

Although you’re probably not as furry footed as a hobbit, here are some reasons why you might have more hair than most on your toes:

  • heredity
  • medication
  • ovarian disorder
  • adrenal disorder

Talk to a doctor if you’re concerned you may have any of these conditions, which are described in more detail below. A doctor can provide a firm diagnosis for why your toes are hairy and recommend removal options, if that’s something you’re considering.

Heredity

Genetics can determine how much or how little hair you have, as well as its:

  • color
  • texture
  • location

If you have hairy toes, chances are you inherited the trait from either of your parents.

Medication

Certain medications have side effects that include increased body hair. Although this increase in hair growth will most likely be focused in areas other than those below your ankles, it could be a reason for your hairy toes.

Medications that could result in body hair increases include:

  • danazol (Danocrine)
  • fluoxetine (Prozac)
  • anabolic steroids (synthetic or natural), including testosterone
  • corticosteroids, including prednisone (Rayos)
Ovarian disorders

With your ovaries contributing to hormone level balance in your body, some conditions affecting them could result in an increase in body hair. These conditions include:

  • ovarian hyperthecosis
  • ovarian tumors
  • polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
Adrenal disorders

Your adrenal glands produce hormones, including those called androgens, that can trigger body hair growth for both males and females.

Body hair growth could be a symptom of one of the following adrenal disorders:

  • adrenal tumors
  • congenital adrenal hyperplasia
  • Cushing syndrome

How to remove hair from your toes temporarily

When it comes to home hair removal, your toes are a relatively easy target. There’s typically not as much hair to remove compared to other areas you might want hairless.

Many people address their toe hair when they address their leg hair by:

  • using a depilatory to dissolve the hair
  • shaving to cut the hair just above the skin’s surface
  • sugaring or waxing to pluck the hair out of the follicle, just below the skin’s surface
  • threading to pluck the hair out of the follicle by moving a twisted loop of thread over the skin

These methods areas are temporary, so the hair on your toes will eventually grow back.

How to remove hair from your toes more permanently

To permanently remove the hair from your toes, go to an expert. They can remove unwanted hair in the following ways:

  • Laser treatment: destroys the hair follicles with light that delivers immense heat
  • Electrolysis: destroys the hair follicles with a needle probe that transmits an electric current

Key takeaways

You most likely inherited your hairy toes from your parents. However, hairy toes might also be a symptom of something else, such as:

  • adrenal disorders
  • ovarian disorders
  • medication side effects

See a doctor if you suspect any of the conditions list above or side effects from a medication you’re currently taking.

If you’re bothered by the hair on your toes, there are a number of hair removal options you can try, including:

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