To the Editor:—
Melvin F. Johnson, Jr. MD, asks "Is there a relation between leg hair loss and arteriosclerosis?" and Albert M. Kligman, MD, answers that aside from the loss of the fine hairs on the dorsum of the toes late in severe arteriosclerosis obliterans, hair growth on the legs has no correlation with any kind of arteriosclerotic disease (212:328, 1970).
I differ with Dr. Kligman's answer. I and many others have noted the rapid disappearance of hair on the leg and dorsum of the foot in acute ischemia of the extremity. This is not an uncommon occurrence in acute thrombotic or embolic occlusions. It has even been observed in acute arterial occlusive episodes of thromboangiitis obliterans. As the arterial circulation recovers, hair returns.
Acute occlusive episodes are more common in arteriosclerosis obliterans.
In addition, it is a common observation that leg hair and hair over the dorsum of
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