Werewolf Syndrome- Looking beyond the myth

Quick question, have you seen the movie "Underworld" which basically speaks volumes about the war raging between werewolves and vampires?

Now even though the mythical creature known as a werewolf is more of a folklore, werewolf syndrome is not just a myth - it’s a real medical condition known as hypertrichosis.

Now lets go a bit historical here, follow me carefully 👇

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Now The origins of werewolf legends can be traced back to those unlucky souls with hypertrichosis, which causes abnormal hair growth all over the body. In the Middle Ages, these poor folks were shunned as “wolf men.” Some were even hunted down and killed! Thank to science and breakthrough in medicine, we now know it’s just a genetic mutation and not lycanthropy- which basically infers wolf characteristics.

If you have hypertrichosis, don’t worry - you won’t actually shapeshift during the full moon. However, you may experience some but not limited to the following signs:

• Excessive hair growth on your face, back, chest, and other unusual places. We’re talking full-on fur here, not just a few stray chin hairs.

• Pointy canine teeth. No, you won’t develop fangs, but your canines may be a bit sharper than average.

• A craving for raw meat. While rare steak probably won’t satisfy your hunger, you may have unusual food cravings due to a mineral deficiency.

Now, the good news is, most symptoms of werewolf syndrome can be managed with medication or laser hair removal. So, while you may always be a bit of a wolf at heart, at least you can avoid terrorizing poor humans during the full moon! 😊

Hypertrichosis: The Real-Life “Werewolf Syndrome”

I think we have established the fact that werewolves are not just mythical creatures that only exist in scary stories and movies and that Hypertrichosis, also known as “werewolf syndrome,” is a rare medical condition that causes excessive hair growth all over the body.

Now, even though people with hypertrichosis don’t actually shapeshift into wolves during a full moon, their excess body hair, especially on the face, has led to the unfortunate nickname of “werewolf syndrome.”

Hypertrichosis can be congenital (present from birth) or acquired later in life from certain medications or medical treatments. The excess hair is usually and most times dark, coarse, and thick, covering areas like the cheeks, forehead, nose, and ears.

Don’t worry, hypertrichosis itself is harmless. But all that extra fuzz may lead to psychological issues or social anxiety for some. Treatment options are limited and removing the hair is difficult. Laser hair removal requires multiple treatments and it can be painful.

On the bright side, some people have learned to embrace their excess body hair. Just look at circus sideshow performers like Lionel the Lion-Faced Man, Annie Jones the Bearded Lady, and Julia Pastrana, the Ugliest Woman in the World. They overcame society’s narrow beauty standards and found fame and fortune.

So if you start sprouting thick hair in unusual places, don’t panic. You don’t need silver bullets or wolfsbane, just a good sense of humor and self-confidence. While hypertrichosis may not be curable, an open and accepting attitude can help make the condition more bearable.So stay human!

Famous Cases of Hypertrichosis Throughout History

The Hairy Family of Russia

In the early 1900s, the Russian peasant family known as the “hairy family” were afflicted with congenital hypertrichosis, a form of werewolf syndrome. Fedor Jeftichew, the patriarch, and his two sons had thick hair covering their entire faces and bodies. They were recruited into show business and toured around Europe, advertised as “dog-faced men.” Fedor’s condition was so advanced that he had a mane and thick hair down to his knees. His sons had a more moderate form, with hair mostly on their faces, hands, and parts of their torso.

The Human Caterpillar

In the late 1800s, a Mexican named Julia Pastrana suffered from hypertrichosis and gingival hyperplasia, causing thick hair growth and enlarged gums. She was billed as the “ugliest woman in the world” in circus sideshows across Europe. After Julia died from complications during childbirth, her husband and manager had her body embalmed and continued to display her for profit. Her mummified remains were shown in sideshows into the early 1900s before disappearing for decades. In 2012, Julia’s body was finally laid to rest, though not without controversy over whether she should have been displayed at all during her life and after her death.

The Hairy Family of Burma

In the early 1900s, a family of four in Burma with congenital hypertrichosis, two sisters and their sons, were featured in circus sideshows. Their condition resulted in hair covering their faces and bodies, though not quite as extensively as Fedor Jeftichew. They were billed as “Burmese hairy family” and “wild Burmese.” Not much else is known about their lives or what became of them after their time in the circus.

As you can see, throughout history people with hypertrichosis, or “werewolf syndrome,” were often cruelly put on display for profit and treated as objects of curiosity and ridicule. Though rare, this genetic condition continues to fascinate and perplex us today. At least now we know it’s the result of a genetic mutation and not lycanthropy!

For people with werewolf syndrome, shaving is probably the biggest annoyance in their daily routine. Razors just don’t cut it (pun intended) when you have a hair mass as thick as a bear’s. It better to just invest in an electric shaver designed for those with an abundance of facial hair.

Let make this crystal clear, Do werewolves really exist?

Of course not, Werewolves are mythical creatures popular in works of fiction. Werewolf syndrome, on the other hand, is a real (if rare) medical condition. While not quite as exciting as transforming into a wolf-human hybrid, individuals with this syndrome do experience some unusual symptoms.

Why is it called “werewolf” syndrome?

The medical name for this condition is hypertrichosis, but it’s often nicknamed “werewolf” syndrome because those affected develop excess facial and body hair, similar to the mythical werewolf. The hair growth can be quite thick and dark, covering the entire face and body.

Is it contagious?

No, werewolf syndrome is not contagious. It’s caused by a genetic mutation and is present from birth. So you can’t “catch” it from someone else or pass it on to your children unless they inherit the mutated gene.

Common Symptoms

Aside from the excess body hair, individuals with werewolf syndrome often have a normal lifespan and development. However, some may experience:

Thick, dark hair covering the entire face and body

Low hairline that extends to the eyebrows

Hair that grows down the sides of the face to the jawline

Hair on the forehead, cheeks, nose and ears

Hair on the back, chest, abdomen, and limbs

Treatment

Sigh! there is no actual cure for werewolf syndrome, but the symptoms can be managed. Options include:

Laser hair removal: Effective but requires multiple treatments and can be expensive

Electrolysis: Also effective but can be painful and time-consuming

Prescription creams: Can slow hair growth but do not eliminate excess hair

Hormone therapy: Has had limited success and can cause side effects

While werewolf syndrome may not turn you into a supernatural creature, individuals can still live full and happy lives with proper treatment and management of their condition. And on the bright side, they’ll save a bundle on razors

So finally. there you have it, the truth about werewolf syndrome in all its hairy glory. While the myths of shapeshifters and lycanthropy will likely be around for centuries to come, at least now you know the medical realities behind this peculiar condition.

Let me know your comments, question and contribution on this below 👇👇

Thanks for reading, Sayonara 🖐️

References

https://www.britannica.com/science/lycanthropy
https://www.thevintagenews.com/2018/09/28/julia-pastrana/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34707519/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320048
https://myhirsutism.com/what-is-werewolf-syndrome/
https://www.werewolves.com/hypertrichosis-werewolf-syndrome/