17-year-old Lalit Patidar from Central India has been diagnosed with hypertrichosis, a rare medical condition that causes excessive hair growth all over the body, including the face. For this reason, Lalit has been called “monkey boy” by his peers and wasn’t able to make any friends. But that’s all in the past: now he has a normal social life and he’s even started vlogging.
Lalit’s parents were surprised to see him for the first time.
When Lalit was born, his mother shared that she was surprised to find that his entire body was covered with hair. Lalit’s father also recalled how the nurse who tended to his birth was shocked at his appearance and called a doctor in to check on him. However, the doctor assured them that there was nothing to worry about and that Lalit was fine. He simply shaved her son’s hair and did not do anything else.
For many years, the family was clueless about Lalit’s condition and tried countless treatments and remedies that did not seem to help: “It doesn’t grow longer or get shorter,” she said. “We tell everyone it’s a birth defect.”
Lalit’s condition affects approximately 1 in 340 million people.
Hypertrichosis is a medical condition that leads to unusual hair growth all over the body. It is also referred to as werewolf syndrome, due to its similarity to the physical characteristics of werewolves. Experts suggest that this condition is primarily caused by gene mutations and is not related to male hormones. Hypertrichosis is a rare condition that affects only one in 340 million individuals, which means that only 50 people in the world are reported to have it.
The excessive hair causes a lot of discomfort on his face.
Lalit, due to hypertrichosis, faces several difficulties in his daily life. He has trouble seeing, eating, and breathing. “I want the hair to go away and I can grow up without it. I’d like to get rid of it,” he said.
He explained that the hair gets into his eyes, making it difficult to see. When he eats, the hair goes into his mouth, also causing discomfort. He also experiences difficulty breathing properly at times.
Besides, Lalit has also faced problems in his social life.
Apart from the physical difficulties that Lalit faces due to his condition, there is also a social aspect to consider. As a younger child, Lalit was mocked by his classmates due to his appearance.
His friend shared that when they used to walk around, the other kids would mock Lalit and call him a “monkey,” and some even threw stones at him. However, their teacher scolded the class and taught them not to make fun of others, including Lalit. After the teacher’s scolding, the mocking stopped, and they all played together as friends.
Nevertheless, he now has a normal teenage life.
Despite all of his physical and social challenges, right now, Lalit is living a normal life like other teenagers and feels alright about his condition. Luckily, the monikers didn’t hold him back from doing what he likes and having friends. After completing his studies, he dreams of becoming a policeman in the future. Right now, Lalit is an active vlogger on his Instagram account and already has more than 100k followers.
