11 Rare Genetic Disorders People Actually Have
These real people have very serious and unbelievable genetic disorders that are quite shocking like having a parasitic twin on you
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6. Harlequin Ichthyosis
Considered as the most serious version of Ichthyosis, this form causes the afflicted infants to suffer from severely cracked skin. This is caused by the hardening of the keratin layer of the baby’s skin that can also affect the eyes, nose, and ears. Many of the babies who develop this don’t tend to survive because of the lack of motion that is caused or they usually succumb to dehydration and infection. There are only twelve people living with this disease in the entirety of the United States. Sadly, there is no cure for this hereditary condition though it can be made manageable by keeping the skin moisturized and using oral retinoids.
5. Turner Syndrome
This syndrome is classified as a rare condition that affects only 1 in every 5,000 female births. The first ever case of Turner syndrome was described way back in 1938 by endocrinologist Henry Turner. Basically, what happens is that instead of having 46 chromosomes, the individual usually has 45 chromosomes since there is usually an x chromosome that is fully or partially missing. Characteristics of this disease include but are not limited to having a webbed neck, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and no menstrual cycles. There is no known cure, however, it can be treated. Growth hormones can be administered to increase the body’s height, along with estrogen replacement therapy to aid in the development of secondary sexual characteristics.
4. Choroidal Melanoma
This is a type of uveal melanoma, also referred to as ocular melanoma, that happens to be a form of cancer that occurs in the eye. Tumors that form in the choroid layer of the cornea can grow to be massive in size. These tumors also happen to be the most common form of intraocular tumors that occur in adults. Treatments are available, although they vary depending on the size of the tumor. Symptoms can include loss of vision, seeing floaters, distorted vision, and flashes of light. Doctors are stumped when it comes to trying to figure out what causes this, however, they do know that melanoma of the eye occurs when something goes wrong in the DNA of healthy eye cells.
3. Neurofibromatosis
This is a series of severe genetically inherited disorders that are classified by three different types, type 1, 2, and 3. NF1 causes the body to become enveloped by benign tumors that can cause damage to the nerves and surrounding tissue by putting pressure on them. Only one copy of the gene is required for this disorder to occur which means that if there is only one parent that is the carrier of the gene, their offspring has a 50 percent chance of developing it. There is no known cure for this condition, but treatment is available for individuals depending on the severity of their case.
2. Congenital Melanocytic Nevus
This is a type of birthmark that only happens in around 1 percent of babies worldwide and is classified as either small, medium, or giant. The bearer can choose to have the larger moles removed due to the psychosocial burden that they cause the patient to endure and others purely for aesthetic reasons. For example, Didier Montalvo was only a young boy from rural Colombia when he began to develop congenital melanocytic nevus. This caused the moles on his body to grow rapidly and one grew so large it covered his entire back, earning him the nickname “turtle boy”. Montalvo was six years old when doctors removed the mark and he now lives a normal life free of ridicule.
1. Craniopagus Parasiticus
Better known as a parasitic twin, craniopagus parasiticus is an extremely rare condition where one twin absorbs their sibling in utero. Rudy Santos, who was born in the Philippines way back in 1953, is said to be the oldest person to suffer from this affliction. There happen to be an extra pair of arms and legs attached to his abdomen and pelvis. Along with all that, Rudy is also fixed with an underdeveloped head that has an ear and some hair. His body also developed an extra set of nipples. Santos would go on to become one of the main attractions whilst on the road with a traveling freak show back in the 70’s and 80’s. It was performing here that he would gain the stage name of “Octoman”. Sadly, he would disappear around the late 1980’s and plummeted into a deep poverty for 10 years. In 2008, Rudy was given the opportunity to finally have his twin removed, however, he refused by stating that he had grown too attached to his extra parts.