Albinism
What is Albinism?
Albinism is an inherited condition where a person is unable to produce
normal colouring of the skin, hair and eyes (lack of pigments) The
condition can be limited to the eye or involve the eye and the skin.
What causes Albinism?
Albinism is caused by defects in the hereditary material that determines
skin colour. People who have normal pigmentation could be carriers of
the hereditary material that is defective for skin colour.
A carrier mother and father can pass their defective skin colour
information on to their children which could then have albinism.
It is important to note that a child with albinism received the
defective information from both parents and that it is common for
parents with normal skin colour to have a child with albinism. As
explained above, albinism is an inherited, generic disorder. Parents of
a baby with albinism should never feel guilty about this, it is not
their fault. It is a condition caused by the specific albinism genes
that a baby has inherited form his/her mother and after at the time on
conception.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Eyes
- Light brown to pale blue in colour
- Sensitivity to the sun ( photophobia)
- Fast involuntary back and forth movement of the eyes, which
improves with age (nystagmus).
- Squinting (strabismus)
- Visual impairment and low vision.
Skin
- Very light and pale in colour
- Freckling or pigmented patches might develop on sun –exposed
areas (ephedlides).
- Very sensitive to the sun (burns easily).
Hair
- Hair color ranges from white, yellow, light brown to reddish.
- Eye lashes and brows whitish.
Intelligence
- Within the normal range, although infants with albinism may seem
a little slower at first because of the visual problems with which
they later learn to cope.
- It is important to note that not all these signs and symptoms
are present in all individuals with albinism and even siblings may
vary in colouring and severity of symptoms.
Skin Care
- Because of the lack of pigments, the eyes and skin of people
with albinism are very sensitive to light.
- Due to this sensitivity people with albinism may develop sores
on their skin that could develop to skin cancer.
- To protect the eyes and skin from the harmful effects of the sun
it is recommended that people with albinism
- Keep out of the sun especially between 11h00 to 13h00
- Use sun barrier cream with art least SPF 25 (sun protection
factor) on sun exposed areas.
- Use lip protection cream of at least SPF 25
- Use large brimmed hats.
- Long sleeved cotton shirts and blouses with high collars
- Wear long trousers and slacks whenever possible, to protect
the legs.
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