13 Rarest Diseases You Never Knew Existed!
13 Rarest Diseases You Never Knew Existed! 20 Nov,2015 Weird There are some diseases which you have never heard of before. Can you imagine a human looking like a wolf or growling bark like covering all over the body. We are lucky enough to be diagnosed with viral fever, common cold or tooth ache but never encountered such weird conditions in life. There are certain disorders in the world which will definitely give you goosebumps. Check out the collection of 13 such rarest diseases.
1) Hypertrichosis
It is also known as “Werewolf Syndrome” because the appearance is quite similar to a wolf. This disease results in an abnormal amount of hair growth all over the face and body. It is a congenital disease, but certain cases have also been reported due to side effects of certain drugs or as a reaction to hair regrowth products. The shocking fact is that there is no cure for congenital hypertrichosis.
2) Tree Man Syndrome
Tree Man Syndrome (Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis) is an extremely rare genetic disorder that results in barklike growths on the skin. This deadly condition is caused as a result of mutation in the EVER1 and EVER2 genes. No treatment has been found for this disease till date.
3) Polydactyly
Polydactyly is a birth defect that results in one or more extra fingers on hand or toes on the feet. The extra fingers or toes may be small and non-functional or may be completely formed with bones and skeleton. This condition can even occur if there is no family history of extra fingers or toes.
4) Elephantiasis
Elephantiasis is caused due to a parasitic infection that causes extreme swelling in the arms and legs. This infection is the outcome of a hindrance of lymphatic vessels in the limbs that creates bulging of skin and tissues. This condition currently affects over 120 million people, with 40 million affected by a severe form of the disease.
5) Stone Man Syndrome
Stone Man syndrome is an extremely rare connective tissue disease affecting 1 in 2 million people. In this genetic disorder, soft tissue is changed into a bone over time. The disease is caused by a mutation of the body’s repair mechanism which turns cartilage into bone. Surgical removal of the extra bone growths often cause even more bone development.
6) Cotard’s Delusion
Cotard’s Delusion (Walking Corpse Syndrome) is a rare mental illness in which the affected person holds the delusion that he is dead. People with Cotard’s delusion don’t feel attachment to their own body. It withdraws the afflicted person from other people, which include neglecting their physical hygiene and personal health.
7) Vampire Syndrome
The medical term for Vampire syndrome is Xeroderma Pigmentosum. It is a rare hereditary defect of the enzyme system that repairs DNA after damage from ultraviolet rays, resulting in extreme sensitivity to sunlight and a tendency to develop skin cancer. In extreme cases, all exposure to sunlight must be prohibited.
8) Progeria
Progeria or Fast Aging Syndrome, is an extremely rare genetic disorder that causes individuals to undergo the aging process during childhood. Those born with Progeria typically live to their mid-teens to early twenties. Symptoms include extremely early onset of heart disease, balding, limited growth, kidney failure, loss of eyesight, arthritis, and osteoporosis.
9) Blaschko’s Lines
Also called the Lines of Blaschko, named after Alfred Blaschko, are lines of normal cell development in the skin. These lines are invisible under normal conditions. They become apparent when some diseases of the skin or mucosa manifests themselves according to these patterns. This disease results in striped patterns all over the body.
10) Burning Mouth syndrome
Burning Mouth Syndrome, or BMS, is a sensory complex with an unknown cause. It causes burning sensation in the mouth in which no underlying medical or dental cause has been recognized and no oral signs are found. Depression and anxiety are strongly associated with BMS. BMS is very common worldwide affecting up to five persons per 100,000 population.
11) Exploding Head syndrome
Exploding head syndrome is a disorder in which an individual hears loud noises or experiences an explosive sensation when falling asleep or waking up. In addition to noise, some persons report fear and seeing flashes of light. People above the age of 50 years are most likely to experience this syndrome. Neither the reason nor the mechanism of exploding head syndrome is known.
12) Necrotizing Fasciitis
Generally known as flesh-eating disease, Necrotizing Faciitis is a deep skin tissue infection. It spreads quickly, having greater possibility of occurring in the immuno compromised due to disorders such as diabetes or cancer. It is commonly treated with surgical procedure and high doses of intravenous antibiotics, with delay in surgical treatment being associated with higher mortality.
13) Cronkhite-Canada syndrome
Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome is a condition that results in a loss of sense of taste. Multiple polyps develop on the digestive tract and causes malabsorption, which can make treatment of the disease difficult. It is sporadic in nature and is currently considered as acquired syndrome. The cause of this disease is unknown.
1) Hypertrichosis
It is also known as “Werewolf Syndrome” because the appearance is quite similar to a wolf. This disease results in an abnormal amount of hair growth all over the face and body. It is a congenital disease, but certain cases have also been reported due to side effects of certain drugs or as a reaction to hair regrowth products. The shocking fact is that there is no cure for congenital hypertrichosis.
2) Tree Man Syndrome
Tree Man Syndrome (Epidermodysplasia Verruciformis) is an extremely rare genetic disorder that results in barklike growths on the skin. This deadly condition is caused as a result of mutation in the EVER1 and EVER2 genes. No treatment has been found for this disease till date.
3) Polydactyly
Polydactyly is a birth defect that results in one or more extra fingers on hand or toes on the feet. The extra fingers or toes may be small and non-functional or may be completely formed with bones and skeleton. This condition can even occur if there is no family history of extra fingers or toes.
4) Elephantiasis
Elephantiasis is caused due to a parasitic infection that causes extreme swelling in the arms and legs. This infection is the outcome of a hindrance of lymphatic vessels in the limbs that creates bulging of skin and tissues. This condition currently affects over 120 million people, with 40 million affected by a severe form of the disease.
5) Stone Man Syndrome
Stone Man syndrome is an extremely rare connective tissue disease affecting 1 in 2 million people. In this genetic disorder, soft tissue is changed into a bone over time. The disease is caused by a mutation of the body’s repair mechanism which turns cartilage into bone. Surgical removal of the extra bone growths often cause even more bone development.
6) Cotard’s Delusion
Cotard’s Delusion (Walking Corpse Syndrome) is a rare mental illness in which the affected person holds the delusion that he is dead. People with Cotard’s delusion don’t feel attachment to their own body. It withdraws the afflicted person from other people, which include neglecting their physical hygiene and personal health.
7) Vampire Syndrome
The medical term for Vampire syndrome is Xeroderma Pigmentosum. It is a rare hereditary defect of the enzyme system that repairs DNA after damage from ultraviolet rays, resulting in extreme sensitivity to sunlight and a tendency to develop skin cancer. In extreme cases, all exposure to sunlight must be prohibited.
8) Progeria
Progeria or Fast Aging Syndrome, is an extremely rare genetic disorder that causes individuals to undergo the aging process during childhood. Those born with Progeria typically live to their mid-teens to early twenties. Symptoms include extremely early onset of heart disease, balding, limited growth, kidney failure, loss of eyesight, arthritis, and osteoporosis.
9) Blaschko’s Lines
Also called the Lines of Blaschko, named after Alfred Blaschko, are lines of normal cell development in the skin. These lines are invisible under normal conditions. They become apparent when some diseases of the skin or mucosa manifests themselves according to these patterns. This disease results in striped patterns all over the body.
10) Burning Mouth syndrome
Burning Mouth Syndrome, or BMS, is a sensory complex with an unknown cause. It causes burning sensation in the mouth in which no underlying medical or dental cause has been recognized and no oral signs are found. Depression and anxiety are strongly associated with BMS. BMS is very common worldwide affecting up to five persons per 100,000 population.
11) Exploding Head syndrome
Exploding head syndrome is a disorder in which an individual hears loud noises or experiences an explosive sensation when falling asleep or waking up. In addition to noise, some persons report fear and seeing flashes of light. People above the age of 50 years are most likely to experience this syndrome. Neither the reason nor the mechanism of exploding head syndrome is known.
12) Necrotizing Fasciitis
Generally known as flesh-eating disease, Necrotizing Faciitis is a deep skin tissue infection. It spreads quickly, having greater possibility of occurring in the immuno compromised due to disorders such as diabetes or cancer. It is commonly treated with surgical procedure and high doses of intravenous antibiotics, with delay in surgical treatment being associated with higher mortality.
13) Cronkhite-Canada syndrome
Cronkhite-Canada Syndrome is a condition that results in a loss of sense of taste. Multiple polyps develop on the digestive tract and causes malabsorption, which can make treatment of the disease difficult. It is sporadic in nature and is currently considered as acquired syndrome. The cause of this disease is unknown.
