Albinism is a disease that is inherited. It occurs with a disorder of pigment metabolism in the human body. The cause of the disease is a lack of melanin, which is responsible for the coloring of the skin and hair, nails and eye color. Deficiency of the substance entails vision problems, fear of sunlight and a predisposition to the development of malignant neoplasms on the skin.
Causes of the disease
Each person is born with a certain color of eyes, skin, hair, which are inherited from parents. With certain disorders at the genetic level, a partial or complete loss of melanin occurs, which subsequently leads to albinism. Pathology is congenital and can be transmitted from generation to generation. It should be noted that albinism can manifest itself in different ways. In some cases, a mutation occurs in each generation, in others - only when two defective genes are combined, deviations from the norm are rarely possible without a hereditary predisposition.
The substance melanin (the word melanos - “black”) is responsible for the coloring of the skin, eyes, hair, eyebrows and eyelashes. The lower its content in the human body, the more expressive are the signs of albinism.
Types of Albinism
Three main varieties of the disease are known to modern medicine: oculocutaneous, ophthalmic and temperature-sensitive. According to statistics, 1 person out of 18 thousand has signs of this mutation.
Ophthalmic, or full
Ocular-skin albinism is characterized by a complete absence of the pigment melanin and is considered the most severe form. This type of disease can be identified by external signs: white skin and hair, reddish eyes. In general, the diagnosis is not a sentence that threatens life, but you still have to adhere to certain rules. Albino is forced to hide his body under clothing all his life, protecting him from direct sunlight. Due to the lack of necessary pigment, his skin is not adapted to the effects of ultraviolet radiation and can get burned.
With this type of gene mutation, the eyes also suffer. Redness, myopia or farsightedness, fear of bright light and squint are observed. In the photo, an albino guy with pronounced symptoms of complete albinism.
Often there are albinos in which one gene is full, and the second is pathogenic. In this case, the latter provides the production of the necessary pigments and the person externally is no different from healthy. But there is a risk in the next generation to give birth to a sick child.
Ophthalmic, or partial
This form has deviations only from the side of the visual organs. External signs are poorly expressed. All parts of the body are fully pigmented, the skin may be pale, but capable of sunbathing. The male half is ill with eye albinism, the female sex is only the carrier of the mutated gene. In women, it manifests itself in a change in the fundus and a transparent iris.
The main specific features of partial albinism are:
- myopia;
- farsightedness;
- astigmatism;
- fear of bright light;
- strabismus;
- nystagmus;
- transparent iris.
Temperature sensitive
In this case, melanin is produced only in areas of the body where the temperature is below 37 degrees. This is the head, arms and legs, and closed places (for example, armpits, inguinal region) are not pigmented. Children up to a year have white skin and hair, because before this age, the body temperature in infants ranges from 37 degrees. When thermoregulation is restored, the cold zones darken, but the eyes remain the same.
Albinism can be a symptom of a number of other serious illnesses. Typically, this occurs with more complex gene abnormalities.
Albino Discrimination
Now society has become more loyal to people with such a pathology. But, unfortunately, this was not always the case. Centuries ago, albinos were considered a fiend of hell, devilish children and threw them into bonfires. In some undeveloped countries, a couple of decades ago, white-skinned children were captured and exterminated. The uneducated population of such countries cut off the hands and feet of infants, used organs and other remains to perform various rituals, and prepare supposedly healing broths. It was considered great luck for the fishermen to catch an albino guy with long hair.
Some of them weaved fishing nets from their hair so that the catch was large. There was also a belief that the genitals cut off from an albino guy had magical, miraculous healing powers. Various parts of the body were sold for fabulous money.
Fortunately, these times are gone. Today, albinos are assisted and protected from all kinds of violence and persecution.
Daily life of albino people
The unique and unusual appearance of albinos always attracts attention. In childhood and adolescence, children with this anomaly have to endure universal ridicule and curious looks of others. Someone from an early age tries to hide visible defects by coloring eyebrows, eyelashes and hair. Girls have to try to make their appearance more expressive by applying makeup. Carriers of this disease are trying to correct visible deficiencies using modern medicine and cosmetology. In fact, subject to a number of recommendations, while in the sun and systematic visits to the optometrist, albinos are able to live an ordinary full life. But there are those who earn a lot of money due to their extraordinary appearance. Now quite often you can find mesmerizing photos of albino people in a fashion magazine or in a commercial. Their eerie in its originality and memorable appearance is very popular in the art world. Portraits of albino guys and art with such images also look mysterious.
Albinos in the modeling business
Special "white" people are very in demand in the advertising and modeling world. In glossy magazines and fashion shows, beautiful albino guys constantly flash. Various agencies with eager interest are trying to find an exclusive model for themselves.
Today, the most famous in the fashion industry are such models as Sean Ross and Stephen Thompson.
Sean Ross
Albino guy is the first professional model born in New York. In his youth, he was engaged in dancing, and only at the age of 16 he took the first step in the direction of the modeling business. There was a lot of negativity on the path to success and worldwide fame for the “white” African American. That is why he positions himself not only as a top model, but also as a discoverer of doors for people with an unusual appearance. For 10 years, the albino guy has achieved tremendous success. He takes part in the filming of videos of famous artists, successfully plays roles in films and TV shows, at the same time shines on the covers of major publications, collaborates with popular brands.
Steven thompson
Like Sean Ross, the albino guy and model could not have dreamed of such a career. Luck smiled at him on the street in the face of the photographer who invited him to a trial photographing. From that moment on, the albino guy has changed dramatically. An interesting man with an extraordinary appearance, beyond his will, fascinates, attracts eyes and is remembered. Currently, Stephen is the face of the world-famous Givenchy brand. The young man, who knows firsthand what problems people with low vision face, is helping the visually impaired center.
Albinism is a genetic pathology inherited. It is characterized by a complete or partial absence of pigmentation of the skin and hair. From ancient times albinos were subjected to persecution. In the modern world, the situation has changed. Albino girls and boys are no longer embarrassed by their appearance. This happens thanks to famous people who, despite this disease, achieve great success.