You must have seen someone whose skin and hair are white. This condition occurs because the person has albinism. This disorder occurs because the body lacks or does not have the pigment melanin. Albinism has several levels of severity, ranging from white skin and hair, thin hair, to vision problems.
It can affect anyone, but the likelihood depends on the region. In Africa, albinism can affect one in every 5,000-15,000 people. In Europe and the United States, albinism can affect one in every 17,000-20,000 people. Albinism can affect both sexes equally and all races.
What is Albinism?
Albinism is a hereditary disease characterized by a much lower level of melanin production than normal people. Melanin is a pigment responsible for skin, hair, and eye color. People with albinism generally have lighter skin and hair than their family members or people around them. In addition, they may also have vision problems, which is common for them.
Melanin normally protects the skin from damage caused by sunlight or ultraviolet. Therefore, someone with albinism will be more sensitive to sun exposure. In addition, people with albinism are also at risk of developing skin cancer if exposed to sunlight for too long.
Facts about Albinism
Here are some facts about albinism that you may not know:
- Although albinism is one of the safest genetic disorders a person can have, it can also cause certain health problems. The most common problem is a vision problem called ocular albinism. Certain types of albinism can be passed from mother to child and can cause serious problems, such as blindness. Even if no damage occurs, the lack of pigmentation in the eyes can cause extreme sensitivity to light and abnormal retinal development.
- The physical appearance of a person with albinism looks different from normal people. Generally, albino people have blue or gray eyes. Even in some cases, the eyes of sufferers of this disorder are pink or red.
- A person with albinism must pay more attention to their eye health because their vision is considered low. These people must use contact lenses or glasses to correct their weak vision.
- A person with this skin color disorder does not have the pigmentation that can protect their skin from direct exposure to sunlight.
- Albinism not only occurs in humans but can also occur in animals.
- This skin pigmentation disorder cannot be transmitted, either through blood transfusion, skin contact, or through organisms that can spread the disease.
- Albinism is an incurable disorder, as the root cause of the disease is genetic. However, the eye and skin problems are a result of the disorder and can be treated in the right way.