Albinism
Definition:
Symptoms:
- Skin conditions such as burning easily in the sun, do not tan, develop skin cancer, freckles, or large blotches of pigmentation
- Problems breathing
- Trouble healing when cut
- Bruise easily
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Bleeding gums when brushing teeth
- Abdominal cramps/diarrhea
This is a photo of a girl diagnosed with Albinism
This is another photo of a girl diagnosed with Albinism
This is a little boy diagnosed with Albinism
Treatment and Management
- Surgery can alter their appearance
- Before surgery, some doctors have children wear an eye patch in attempt to strengthen the weaker eye
- Must cover skin with sunscreen of SPF 20 or higher whenever going into the sun
- Be aware of cancerous moles or birthmarks
- Avoid aspirin
- Should not smoke
Types of albinism
- X-linked ocular: Occurs mostly in males, who inherit the gene from their mothers. This causes visual disabilities
- Oculocutaneous: affects hair, skin, and eyes. There are ten different types of Oculocutaneous albinism
- Tyrosinase-negative oculocutaneous: also known as Type 1A, which is most severe. Total absence of pigment in hair, skin, and eyes.
Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome: common in the Puerto Rican community. This is very rare.
Chediak-Higashi syndrome: also very rare, this interferes with white blood spcells and the body's ability to fight infection
Black Locks Albanism Deafness syndrome: also very rare, deafness from birth
Piebaldism: market by patches of white hair or lighter skin blotches on the body