Do you know someone who has….

Snow-white skin?and/or

Snow-white hair?

ATTENTION:

If so, they might have a skin disorder associated with…

Albinism is a disease in which a person has partial or complete loss of pigmentation of the skin, eyes,

and hair.

Albinism

Cause

In albinism, the melanocytes are present, but genetic

mutations interfere with their pigment production or their

ability to distribute it to keratinocytes, the major cell

type comprising the epidermis, or outer layer of the skin.

•In Albinism, the melanocytes are present, but genetic mutations interfere with their pigment production or their ability to distribute it to keratinocytes

Other Signs or Symptoms

No pigment or red/blue pigment in his/her eyes

Sensitivity to sun exposure

Cure

Although there's no cure for albinism, people with the disorder can take steps to improve vision and avoid too much sun exposure.

Albinism doesn't limit intellectual development, though people with albinism often feel socially isolated and may experience discrimination.

Worst Case Scenario

Vision Problems◦Not correctable with eyeglasses◦Many have low vision◦Abnormal development of the retina◦Abnormal patterns of nerve connections between

the eye and the brainSkin Problems

◦People with many types of albinism need to take precautions to avoid damage to the skin caused by the sun such as wearing sunscreen lotions, hats and sun-protective clothing.

◦Most people with albinism are sensitive to sun exposure and are at increased risk of developing skin cancer

Facts

Fun Fact 1: There is a belief that a person or animal with albinism will become blind halfway through life. This is NOT true.

Fun Fact 2: Animals with Albinism do not particularly have a shorter life span than other animals

Fun Fact 3: The most famous albino animal in the world today is the male humpback whale off the coast of Australia named, Migaloo. He was first spotted in 1991 and recent close up photos have shown him to have skin cancer and/or skin cysts as a result of his lack of protection from the sun.

Fun Fact 4: While the color of an Albinistic human eye is blue, the eyes of an animal with albinism are occasionally red.

Works Cited

http://www.bing.com/health/article/mayo-MADS00941/Albinism?q=albinism&adlt=strict

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=killing-albinos-tanzania-albinism

http://www.albinism.org/publications/what_is_albinism.html