Albinism

Talk to me.

Albinism is a condition that affects the color of a person's skin, hair, and eyes. People with albinism have little or no melanin, which is the substance that gives color to our skin, hair and eyes.

This means that people with albanism may have very pale or even white skin, their hair may be very light, red, or white, and their eyes may appear pink or red.

Some people with albinism will always have the same color skin, hair and eyes, while others may have changes happen in their coloring. This depends on if the body changes the amount of melanin it creates throughout childhood.

Who is more likely to have the condition?

Albinism is a genetic condition, which means it is passed down from parents to their children. This means that if someone in your family has albinism, it is more likely to you or your children may have albanism.

Are there different types?

Yes, there are different types of albinism. The most common types are:

• Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) - This is the most common types of albinism. It affects the coloring of the hair, skin and eyes

• Ocular albinism (OA) - This type of albinism affects the iris, or the colored part of the eye. People with OA will typically have blue colored eyes, but because some people will have very pale blue eyes, some eyes may look like they are red or pink.

There are also other types of albinism, such as Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome or Chediak-Higashi syndrome. These syndromes are forms of OCA and come with additional issues.

I think I have albinism symptoms. What should I do?

Doctors can diagnose albinism by looking at a person's physical features and doing special tests. They will check the person's skin, hair, and eye color, as well as their vision.

Sometimes, doctors may also do genetic testing to confirm the diagnosis. It's important to see a doctor if you think you or someone you know might have albinism, so they can provide the right care and support.

Is there a way to treat it?

There is no cure for albinism, but there are ways to manage the condition and any negative side effects.

People with albinism need to be careful with the sun to protect both their skin and eyes. This includes:

• applying sunscreen to skin often
• wearing a hat and long-sleeved clothing
• wearing sunglassesspecial glasses

Vision problems

People with albinism are very likely to have issues with their vision. If you suspect you or a child have albinism, it is critical to see an eye doctor to test your eyes with all issues related to albinism.

Living with albinism

With most types of albinism you should be able to live a long, normal and healthy life. There are certain things that you will need to do to maintain a healthy life, such as maintaining any vision problems and watching how often you are out in the sun.

People with albinism may also feel self-conscious or have social anxiety due to their looks. If you or someone close to you is diagnosed with albinism, it is beneficial to focus on treatment for the mental health issues involved with the diagnosis as well. Try reaching out to support groups, included below, and seeking therapy to normalize the condition!

Your medical team should be able to advise on what precautions you need to be taking to make sure you are keeping yourself healthy and preventing any adverse effects of albinism.