Hypertrichosis, Also Known as 'Werewolf Syndrome'
A Rare Disorder Affecting Only About 50 People Worldwide
A boy from India has been listed in the Guinness World Records as the person with the most facial hair in the world.
On the 10th, foreign media including The Times of India reported that Lalit Patidar (18) from India was measured to have 201.72 hairs per 1㎠, earning him the Guinness World Record for 'the hairiest person in the world.' According to Guinness World Records, more than 95% of Patidar's face is covered with hair. He suffers from 'Ambras Syndrome,' a rare disease that causes excessive hair growth, with only about 50 cases reported since the medieval era.
An Indian boy has been listed in the Guinness World Records as the person with the most facial hair in the world. On the 10th, foreign media including The Times of India reported that Lalit Patidar (18) from India was measured to have 201.72 hairs per square centimeter (cm²), earning him the Guinness World Record for the "most hairy person in the world." Guinness World Records
Recently, Patidar visited Milan, Italy, where he went to a local hair specialist for an official facial hair measurement. The specialist shaved a small area of Patidar's face to accurately measure the amount of hair per ㎠. As a result, he set the world record. Regarding setting the Guinness record, Patidar said, "I am speechless. I don't know what to say. I am happy to receive this recognition."
Patidar also interacts with hundreds of thousands of followers by showing his unique appearance. He said, "Most people are kind to me, but there are some who are not," and addressed those who tell him to remove his facial hair by saying, "I like myself as I am now and do not want to change."
'Werewolf Syndrome' Affecting 1 in a Billion
Ambras Syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by excessive hair growth on the body. Some people are born with hypertrichosis, while others acquire it later. Congenital generalized hypertrichosis causes hair to grow all over the body except the palms and soles from birth. Hair growth is especially prominent on the face, ears, and shoulders. Congenital werewolf syndrome is often known to be hereditary.
Worldwide, about 50 to 100 cases have been reported, and it is estimated to occur in about 1 in a billion people. Acquired cases can result from medication use or environmental diseases. Drugs such as the anticonvulsant phenytoin, the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A, and the blood pressure medication minoxidil can cause this condition. In such cases, hypertrichosis disappears when the medication is discontinued.
Previously, in Spain, there was controversy when a hair growth stimulant containing minoxidil was mistakenly included in gastrointestinal medication during pharmaceutical distribution, causing children who took it to exhibit symptoms similar to werewolf syndrome. Additionally, hypertrichosis can also occur due to diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, metabolic diseases, and steroid hormone use. There is no cure for hypertrichosis, but methods such as laser hair removal can be helpful.
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