Lalit Patidar, 17, from Central India, has been diagnosed with hypertrichosis, a rare medical disorder characterized by profuse hair growth throughout the body, including the face. As a result, his contemporaries dubbed him “monkey boy” and he struggled to establish friends. But that’s all in the past; he now has a regular social life and has even begun vlogging.
Lalit’s parents were surprised to see him for the first time.
When Lalit was born, his mother was startled to see that his entire body was covered with hair. Lalit’s father also described how the nurse who cared for him at delivery was taken aback by his appearance and summoned a doctor to examine him. However, the doctor told them that there was nothing to be concerned about and that Lalit was well. He only shaved her son’s hair and did nothing else.
For many years, the family was unaware of Lalit’s ailment and attempted numerous treatments and therapies that did not appear to help: “It doesn’t grow longer or shorter,” she explained. “We tell everyone it’s a birth defect.”
Lalit’s condition affects approximately 1 in 340 million people.
Hypertrichosis is a medical disorder that causes extraordinary hair growth throughout the body. It is also known as werewolf syndrome since it resembles the physical traits of werewolves. Experts believe that this illness is mostly caused by gene mutations and is unrelated to male hormones. Hypertrichosis is an uncommon disorder that affects just one in every 340 million people, which implies that only 50 people worldwide are known to have it.
The excessive hair causes a lot of discomfort on his face.
Lalit has hypertrichosis, which causes him to have various issues in his daily life. He has difficulty seeing, eating, and breathing. “I want the hair to go away so I can grow up without it. “I would like to get rid of it,” he stated.
He mentioned how the hair gets into his eyes and makes it difficult to see. When he eats, the hair gets into his mouth, which causes irritation. He also has trouble breathing correctly at times.
Besides, Lalit has also faced problems in his social life.
Aside from the physical challenges that Lalit suffers as a result of his disability, there is also the social component to consider. Lalit was teased by his classmates for his appearance when he was younger.
His companion stated that when they were walking around, the other kids would mock Lalit and call him a “monkey,” and some even threw stones at him. However, their teacher chastised the class and instructed them not to make fun of others, particularly Lalit. Following the teacher’s reprimand, the ridiculing ceased, and they all played together as friends.
Nevertheless, he now has a normal teenage life.
Despite his physical and social hurdles, Lalit is currently leading a normal adolescent life and is comfortable with his condition. Fortunately, the monikers did not prevent him from doing what he wanted and making friends. After finishing his studies, he hopes to become a cop in the future. Lalit is currently an active vlogger on Instagram, and he already has over 100,000 followers.