Hypertrichosis?

When you think of a werewolf what images come to mind? Werewolves storeys have been with us since the beginning of the history books, their storeys are told all over the world, even our fairy tales have a werewolf as the leading character, (little red ridding hood).

The legend of the werewolf.

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These creatures are known as shape-shifters, they are said to have the supernatural ability to change from human form to wolf form and back again under a full-moon, and hunt on humans. These supernatural creatures are said to be vulnerable to sliver this is the only way to kill them this is were the silver bullet comes in to the stories. To be bitten by a werewolf, and survive would leave you fang and furry for ever more, you would be left to howl at the full moon, and change at it’s rising so brings in the curse of the werewolf that has been depicted in many a horror film’s.

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Modern medicine and the werewolf.

There is a condition called werewolf syndrome this is the nick name given to the disorder by the story’s of werewolves. The medical term for this is called, Hypertrichosis. The connection to the werewolf is these people have all over body hair that is thick and they are looked upon as werewolf people as in half human and half wolf, before this was discover as a medical disorder these suffers, were prime entertainment at freak shows. Now we know different.

What is Hypertrichosis?

It can start as simply as excessive growth, of hair on the body. Every one is born with fine lango hair and normally the lango hair is shed before the child is born and it is replaced by vellus hair, but for the suffer of this condition the laugo hair is never shed, and grows with the child through all the child’s life. All hypertrichosis is caused by genetic mutation and is present at birth, it has been linked to the X chromosome, if a male is carrying the gene he will always pass it on to his daughters never to his son’s.

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Is there a cure?

At this time there is no cure for this disorder only cutting, shaving or to have hair removal treatment which is not a nice experience as you will see.