Albino Humans

Albino Humans

Affecting less than 5 people in 100,000, albinism, as mentioned, is a rare genetic disorder. It may also be referred to, as a group of inherited disorders, which result in little or no production of melanin (insoluble pigments that accountfor the color skin, hair, eyes, scales and feathers). Some people might incorrectly regard this disorder as 'albino in humans', however, the term 'albino' is used for an organism affected by albinism. Questions also arise regarding partial albino humans too. However, this condition is mostly found in animals, rather than in humans.
Albinism occur in different forms such as oculocutaneous albinism, x-linked ocular albinism, hermansky-pudlak syndrome and chediak-higashi syndrome. However, not all of these conditions are common.
This category of albino people is further subdivided into oculocutaneous albinism 1, oculocutaneous albinism 2, oculocutaneous albinism 3 and oculocutaneous albinism 4.
People suffering from oculocutaneous albinism 1 suffer from bearing milky white skin, white hair and development of eyes which are blue, right from their birth. In some cases, people begin or become able to produce melanin during childhood and adolescence. Their hair may change from white to golden blond or brown. Skin may remain white, but may tan a bit. Such people may also undergo a change in color of their iris, which may even have to part away from its translucency.
The Sub-Saharan Africans and African-Americans commonly suffer from oculocutaneous albinism 2. Symptoms noticeable are yellow, auburn, ginger or red colored hair and blue-gray or tan eye color. They have a white skin from birth and with sun exposure, it may become freckled or may develop moles or lentigines (a small brownish spot of the pigment melanin on the skin).
People suffering from oculocutaneous albinism 3, are mostly dark-colored South Africans. Hair would be of the color reddish-brown, reddish or ginger. Hazel or brown tends to be the eye color in humans suffering from this form of albinism. This condition of albinism is rare in occurrence.
Another rare form of albinism is the oculocutaneous albinism 4 and this may be prevalent mostly in people who belong from a Japanese descent.
X-Linked Ocular Albinism
The x-linked ocular albinism is related to developmental and functional problems with the vision and it is more common in males than females. Apart from this, the color of their skin, hair or eye fall in an almost normal range, when compared to other members of the family.
Hermansky - Pudlak Syndrome
Some albino humans show symptoms of lung or bowel disease and bleeding disorder. These people are typically the ones who are affected by the rare albinism hermansky-pudlak syndrome. Other symptoms are similar to those of oculocutaneous albinism.
Chediak - Higashi Syndrome
Albino people suffering from chediak-higashi syndrome also exhibit symptoms similar to those shown by oculocutaneous albinos. Their brown or blond hair will generally bear a silvery sheen and the color of their eyes range from creamy whitish to grayish. Chediak-higashi albinos are susceptible to developing bouts of infections, as they have a dearth of white blood cells in their body.
Talking about treatment, albinos have limited or no scope to get cured as albinism is genetic in nature. However, with the aid of certain medical procedures, the symptoms can be managed and dealt with. Medical science has not been able to come up with any known method, which can be used to prevent the onset of this disorder. However, one can consider DNA testing to know and understand the risk of albinism before deciding to parent a child. It is important to know that people who might be suffering from Hermansky-Pudlak and Chediak-Higashi syndromes, require special care and regular monitoring to prevent complications.
Apart from the symptoms which albino people have to confront every single day, what's more disheartening is the sour attitude of others towards them. They are often and most of the time, misunderstood in public thus, they also have to suffer from depression of being left alone and unattended to.
Does having abnormal body features make some people such as those with albinism unacceptable in society? They have all the right to lead their lives optimistically and productively, like we all do. Those who have a cold shoulder for such people only prove how educated or literate they are or have become. So it is important for all to know a bit about people dealing with albinism, and have a kind and benevolent heart towards them.