Medical Dialogues

MP TEEN LIVES WITH RARE WEREWOLF SYNDROME

KNOW ALL ABOUT THE DISEASE
A teenage boy from Madhya Pradesh lives with an incredibly rare condition, known popularly as Werewolf syndrome that causes him to have dense fur all over his body.
WHAT IS WEREWOLF SYNDROME?
Werewolf Syndrome or Hypertrichosis is defined as excessive hair growth anywhere on the body in either males or females.
SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTRICHOSIS
The primary symptom of hypertrichosis is the presence of hair in greater amounts than is usual for a person’s age, race, and sex. Hair may also appear in unusual areas. Not all hair produced by hypertrichosis is the same. Hypertrichosis can create three different types of hair: Lanugo, Vellus, and Terminal.
TYPES OF HYPERTRICHOSIS
Types include- Congenital hypertrichosis lanuginosa, Congenital hypertrichosis terminalis, Acquired hypertrichosis, Naevoid hypertrichosis, and Hirsutism.
CAUSES OF HYPERTRICHOSIS
Malnutrition, Poor diet, or certain eating disorders, such as Anorexia Nervosa, Certain drugs and medications, such as hair growth drugs, Certain immunosuppressants, and Androgenic steroids, Cancer and cell mutation, Autoimmune and infectious diseases affecting the skin, Condition called porphyria cutanea tarda, which causes the skin to be extremely sensitive to UV light, may trigger hypertrichosis.
TREATMENTS FOR HYPERTRICHOSIS
There is no known cure for congenital hypertrichosis. Treatment involves managing the symptoms by removing the hair from the affected area. Short-term methods of hair removal include- Shaving, Plucking, Waxing, Bleaching, and Chemical epilation.
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