A Rare Clinical Image of Hypertrichosis (Werewolf Syndrome)
January 2022
in “
The Pan African medical journal
”
TLDR Hypertrichosis causes excessive hair growth and needs psychological support due to its impact on self-esteem.
Hypertrichosis, also known as Werewolf syndrome, is a rare condition characterized by excessive hair growth over the body, which can be congenital or acquired. It affects both men and women and can involve different types of hair such as vellus, lanugo, or terminal hair. The etiology is not well understood but may be linked to conditions like porphyria cutanea tarda, androgenic steroids, lichen simplex, malnutrition, or medications like minoxidil, phenytoin, and cyclosporin. Treatment options are limited to hair removal methods like epilation, shaving, electrolysis, or laser surgery. A case of a 10-year-old boy with congenital hypertrichosis terminalis presented with dense, thick hair on his face, affecting his self-esteem. Due to the rarity of the condition, there is limited research, highlighting the need for psychological support for affected individuals.