Humans, animals, and even plants can have albinism, a condition that gives people a kind of pale appearance.
Albinism is a genetic condition where people are born without the usual pigment (color) in their bodies. Their bodies are not capable of making a normal amount of melanin, the chemical that is responsible for eyes, skin, and hair color. So most people with albinism have very pale skin, hair, and eyes. Albinism can affect people of all races, and there are different types of albinism.
Some people with a condition called oculocutaneous albinism have extremely pale skin and eyes, and white hair. Others with this same type of albinism may have a little more color in their hair, eyes, or skin.
For some people, albinism affects only their eyes. This is known as ocular albinism. People with ocular albinism usually have blue eyes. In some cases, the iris (the colored part of the eye) has very little color, so a person's eyes may appear pink or reddish. This is caused by the blood vessels within the eye showing through the iris. In some forms of ocular albinism, the hearing of the auditory nerves can be affected and the person can develop hearing problems or deafness over time.
Except for eye problems, most people with albinism are as healthy as anyone else. In very rare cases, a person's albinism is part of another condition that involves other health problems in addition to albinism. People with this type of albinism can have health complications such as bleeding, lung, intestine, and immune system problems.
Because the disease is genetic, there are no cures; Treatment revolves around minimizing symptoms and observing changes.
Albinism does not worsen with age, and a child with albinism is able to flourish and achieve the same education and employment as a person without the condition.
The most common physical problems associated with albinism are the increased risk of sunburn and skin cancer. Also, people with albinism can face significant social problems. Because they seem different, they may be bullied at school or feel like an outsider because they don't “fit in” with the rest of their family or ethnic group.
