MEET the extraordinary boy who looks a real-life werewolf with hair enveloping his face and body – all due to a one-in-a-billion medical anomaly.
Dubbed potentially as the world’s hairiest baby, his mother’s peculiar theory blames her “cursed” pregnancy craving for a wild animal.
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Jaren Gamongan from Apayao, the Philippines, was born with a full head of hair, black sideburns, and patches that filled his face, neck, back, and arms.
His superstitious mum, Alma, believed the boy’s appearance was due to a curse wrought upon her when she ate a wild cat while pregnant with the child.
Despite Alma’s beliefs there’s no medical evidence the cat consumption sparked the condition.
She said that during her pregnancy, she had uncontrollable cravings for wild cats, an exotic dish that is found in the remote mountain region where she lives.
Alma sought out a black feline from village friends and had it sauteed with herbs – a decision she later regretted when Jaren was born.
Her neighbours kept feeding her ideas about a curse, but when she finally took Jaren to qualified doctors this month, they found out he had a medical condition called hypertrichosis.
The incredibly rare syndrome only affects an estimated “one in every one billion people” as only 50 to 100 cases were reported worldwide since the Middle Ages.
Footage shows the two-year-old playing around a building and their home, but Alma worries his unique looks will be a challenge in school.
She said: “I worry so much for him when it’s time for him to go to school.
“He might get bullied for being different.
“I blamed myself when he was born because of the cravings I had. I felt very guilty.
“But then recently the doctors told me it was not related.”
Out of Alma’s three kids, middle child Jaren was the only one looking different.
She said Jaren was a happy and playful boy but he complains about having itchy rashes when the weather becomes hot.
“I will give him a bath when it’s hot. We even tried to cut the hair, but it would just grow back even longer and thicker, so we stopped doing it,” she explained.
After seeing baby Jaren this month, dermatologist Dr Ravelinda Soriano Perez said: “We believe this was an inherited condition, but it is very rare. One in only one billion people could have it.”
The doctor added that while hypertrichosis did not have a cure, treatments such as laser hair removal could help the condition.
She said: “We will try to do ten sessions in four to six weeks and then observe.”
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Mum Alma now pleads with good Samaritans for help since each session would cost the family 2,500 PHP (£34.97).
She said: “I am very thankful to those who already helped us. I hope my son could have a better chance in life with your help.”
What is hypertrichosis AKA ‘Werewolf Syndrome’?
Hypertrichosis, known as ‘Werewolf Syndrome’, is a rare and curious condition that causes excessive hair growth anywhere on a person’s body.
It can affect both women and men.
The abnormal hair growth may cover the face and body or occur in small patches.
Hypertrichosis can appear at birth or develop over time.
The causes of hypertrichosis aren’t well understood, though there is a form of the disease that tends to run in families.
Congenital hypertrichosis may be caused by reactivation of genes that cause hair growth.
Evolution appears to have shut down the genes that cause excessive hair in humans because it served no value.
By a mistake that still has no known cause, these hair-growth genes appear to “turn on” while a baby is still in the womb, according to Healthline and MedicalNewsToday.
When it occurs in later life, it may be due to malnutrition, eating disorders, medications, cancer or an autoimmune condition.
Hypertrichosis has no cure or known prevention tool.
The risk of certain forms of acquired hypertrichosis may be lowered by avoiding certain medications, such as minoxidil.
Treating hypertrichosis involves the removal of hair through a variety of short-term methods including shaving, chemical epilation, waxing, plucking and hair bleaching.
Long-term solutions include electrolysis and laser surgery.
Source: Healthline
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