The Werewolf Disease: Hypertrichosis

Image Via  Media Cache Media Cache Congenital generalized hypertrichosis, or more commonly known as the 'werewolf syndrome' is an X-linked trait that currently effects less than 50 people of the world's massive population. Although the exact gene that causes this syndrome has yet to be found, scientists have discovered that it lays on the bottom half of the X chromosome. This disease causes excessive hair growth over the entire male body, which resembles the mythical 'werewolf'. It is possible for females to get the disease, but case studies show that because the females also have one normal X chromosome that can compensate, but they still develop patches of excessive hair growth on their bodies. Hypertrichosis is a hereditary disease, but it can also be acquired from other disorders. Diseases such as cancer, anorexia, and hyperthyroidism have been proven to be linked to this syndrome. Although there is no cure for this rare disease, the treatment process is to trace back to the disease it developed from (if it wasn't inherited) and treat that. Although this disease is less than desirable, it is not fatal, and patients have been able to live a normal life with spouses and children, combined with a taste of fame this strange disease inevitably brings. Because the disease is not deadly, scientists haven't been as adamant on this research front, but hopefully a cure for the "real-life werewolf" is coming soon.