12-year-old girl suffers from 'werewolf syndrome', covered in thick black hair
A 12-year-old Bangladeshi girl is suffering from a rare condition known as 'werewolf syndrome' or hypertrichosis. The condition is so severe that Bithi Akhtar’s whole body is covered in thick black hair from head to toe.
According to local reports Akhta from Tangail district in central Bangladesh was born with this syndrome. But some reports also suggest that she might be suffering from hirsutism which leads to excessive hair growth that is dark and thick.
According to medical journals, hypertrichosis is an abnormal amount of hair growth over the body. The extensive cases of hypertrichosis is called as werewolf syndrome, because the appearance is similar to the mythical werewolf.
There are two distinct types of hypertrichosis. Generalized hypertrichosis occurs over the entire body while localized hypertrichosis is restricted to a certain area. Hypertrichosis can be either from the of birth or can acquired later in life.The excess growth of hair occurs in areas of the skin with the exception of androgen-dependent hair of the pubic area, face, and axillary regions.
“My daughter was born with thick black hair that looked like wool all over her body. We sought help from several doctors but no one could treat her completely. Now, at least, the hair has stopped growing any longer,” Beauty Akhtar, 27, mother of girl told The Daily Mail.
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However last year when Bithi reached her puberty, her breast started growing at an abnormal rate. By the end of the year she wasn’t able to stand straight under her own weight and was forced out of school.
“Her breasts grew so fast that they became really heavy and started sagging below her stomach. She would cry all day long because of the immense pain due to the weight. She could not walk or sit straight,” explains her mother.
Bithi’s other two siblings have health issues. Abdur Razzak, Bithi’s father, ferries passengers on a rented motorcycle and makes £30 a day. He took loan and got her admitted to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujb Medical College.
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“I have already spent a lot of money on Bithi's treatment even though that has not paid off well. My daughter's condition has shattered me. I am heartbroken to see her in pain and live a life of recluse. But my daughter's condition has shattered me," said Abdur Razzak.
" I am heartbroken to see her in pain and live a life of recluse. I want to give her a normal life and I am determined to get help from specialists. I borrowed £100 from bank and brought her straight to the hospital. I am hoping they will give the best treatment to Bithi,” he adds.
The doctors are trying to find a possible treatment for Bithi.
“This looks like a severe case of abnormal hormones. While we think some of the problems will go away with medicine, we are yet to ascertain her medical history and causes and start the treatment,” said Dr Farid Uddin, Head of the Department of Hormones at the hospital.
