One of the rarest genetic disorder and perhaps one if the most unpleasant ones is congenital generalized hypertrichosis. It is better known as werewolf syndrome and is characterized by the excessive hair growth on the body. It is either local or generalized but in all the cases it is abnormal to a very great extent. The condition is considered congenital and either appears at birth or develops a bit later in life. It is diagnosed very soon with a baby’s birth or some time later. But taking into consideration the prominence of symptoms, mistakes are rare.

Congenital generalized hypertrichosis can be therefore subdivided into congenital and acquired and both these types also have got several subtypes.

In congenital generalized hypertrichosis the following types can be singled out:

• hypertrichosis lanuginose
• localized hypertrichosis
• generalized hypertrichosis
• circumscribed hypertrichosis
• terminal hypertrichosis
• nevoid hypertrichosis

Congenital hypertrichosis lanuginose is a type of congenital generalized hypertrichosis that is characterized by the appearance of lanugo hair in babies all over their bodies apart from palms and soles. It is normal for a baby to have lanugo hair. This hair is soft and light and normally found on such parts of the body as forehead and cheeks as well as shoulders and back. Generally a baby tends to shed it shortly after birth; however, in babies with hypertrichosis lanuginose they stay and only can get thinner or lighter.

Another subtype of congenital generalized hypertrichosis is localized hypertrichosis. It is characterized by the growth of hair in some body areas only.

Next in the list is generalized hypertrichosis, which is, as the name suggests, characterized by excessive hair growth on the face and upper part of the body in case of men. In women it is mostly asymmetrical growth of hair which is not so severe.

In case of circumscribed hypertrichosis – another type of congenital generalized hypertrichosis – hair mostly grow on the upper part of the body such as shoulders and arms and what is lower (up to fingers). Less hair is met in the lower part of the body. Elbows seem to be affected the worst and this subtype of the condition is frequently called hairy elbow syndrome.

With terminal hypertrichosis a person has got highly pigmented terminal hair. It tends to grow all over the body and therefore is the most prominent and life-complicating condition of all the aforementioned.

The last type in this group of congenital generalized hypertrichosis is nevoid hypertrichosis. It is characterized by hair growth on some isolated areas of the body.

As it was mentioned, apart from of congenital generalized hypertrichosis the condition can be also acquired later in life and it has also its subdivision by types. There are reasons that trigger excessive hair growth in a person in later stages of life but not all of them are still clear.

Among aquired generalized hypertrichosis there are differentiated:

• acquired patterned hypertrichosis
• hypertrichosis lanuginose
• acquired localized hypertrichosis
• acquired generalized hypertrichosis.

Acquired patterned hypertrichosis is characterized by hair growth in particular patterns.

Acquired localized hypertrichosis is characterized by hair growth in some areas of the body.
Acquired generalized hypertrichosis represents the condition when hair grows abnormally excessively in different body parts. One of the peculiarities of this condition is that several hairs can grow from the same follicle. People with this condition suffer a lot with the way they look.

Congenital generalized hypertrichosis, or werewolf syndrome, most prominent symptom is abnormal hair growth. However, there are others like defects of teeth or enlargement of gyms.

It is believed that congenital generalized hypertrichosis is evoked by gene alternation. However, there can be other factors as well. Among them is cancer. Some strong medications can trigger excessive hair growth as an adverse effect.

Congenital generalized hypertrichosis is not treatable; it can only be alleviated with some cosmetic procedures. One of the most popular and effective is hair removal. There are a lot of methods and it is possible to find the most effective one.

Congenital generalized hypertrichosis is pretty rare and not many people suffer from it. However, this does not life in the least easier for those who do. One should not forget to be tactful and understanding.