Hypertrichosis – course, symptoms, causes, treatment. What is werewolf syndrome?

There are many such diseases in the world that gave rise to amazing stories about people with superhuman powers or those who are a combination of a human and some animal species. Often these stories amuse or terrify the people who read or watch them, but unfortunately there are also times when stories of this type make us want to see a monster in a person. Meanwhile, there are many diseases, the external symptoms of which are visible to the naked eye, and which probably inspired the creation of the heroes of famous novels. One of these diseases is hypertrichosis, also known as the werewolf syndrome. What is this rare condition characterized by? Why was it called that way? Are there ways to successfully treat hypertrichosis?

What is hypertrichosis?

Hypertrichosis is commonly known as the werewolf syndrome or Ambras syndrome. It is a genetic disorder characterized by excessive body hair. This syndrome affects both women and men and can affect different parts of the body. Very often, dense hair also occurs on the face, which is why this condition is difficult to hide. Cases of hypertrichosis have been known for a long time. The syndrome was described for the first time in the XNUMXth century.

The course of hypertrichosis

In people with hypertrichosis, hirsutism appears on different parts of the body. Most often it affects the arms, torso, legs and also the face, which is especially uncomfortable for people suffering from this rare ailment. If we are dealing only with partial hair, that is, one that occurs on selected parts of the body, then we can talk about local hypertrichosis, while if the excessive hair affects the entire body, then we are dealing with generalized hypertrichosis. Hair has the property that after the growth phase, the hair follicles die and then the hair falls out. It is a bit different in people with werewolf syndrome. Their hair growth phase is much longer than that of the average person, which is manifested by excessive hair.

What are the symptoms of hypertrichosis?

Hypertrichosis is a condition that can often be recognized even with the naked eye. Excessive hair is seen not only in parts of the body that normally have hair, but also in parts of the body that are not hairless in healthy people, such as the face and hands. In addition to the usual type of hypertrichosis, which can affect different parts of the body, we also distinguish the so-called terminal hypertrichosis, which also causes symptoms other than just hirsutism. These include, but are not limited to, a large head with a wide, flat nose, mouth pushed forward, gingival overgrowth, and dental disorders, such as extra teeth.

What are the causes of hypertrichosis?

The causes of hypertrichosis should be sought in genetic changes. Some of these mutations arise during the life of the sick person, while others may be inherited from their parents.

However, it is different when we are dealing with acquired werewolf syndrome. Then the causes can be many and usually they are very different from each other. Hormonal problems and diseases such as hypothyroidism or acromegaly are responsible for some cases of hypertrichosis. The causes can also be cancer and anorexia. It has also been proven that some pharmacological preparations can also influence the disease. This group includes glucocorticosteroids, hydantoin, cyclosporine, and also minoxidil.

How is hypertrichosis treated?

Werewolf syndrome is unfortunately a disease for which no effective cure has yet been found. Therefore, actions are carried out to eliminate as much as possible the visible symptoms of the disease in the form of hirsutism. Fortunately, nowadays, aesthetic medicine is such a developed industry that people with hypertrichosis have a wide range of hair removal treatments, ranging from regular shaving to, for example, laser hair removal of areas with excessive hair.

Other methods of dealing with excessive hair may also include the use of preparations that inhibit hair growth in various ways. One such agent is eflornithine, which can be bought, for example, in the form of a cream that is applied to the face.

Hypertrichosis and the psyche

Very often people suffering from hypertrichosis also need appropriate psychological support, because this ailment is visible to others with the naked eye, and human opinions and comments can sometimes be very painful and harmful. The development of the disease and the need to perform shaving or hair removal treatments that healthy people do not have to perform make people suffering from werewolf syndrome lose their self-esteem and willingness to live, and also have problems connecting with other people. Psychotherapy helps people with hypertrichosis find their place in society and learn to enjoy life.