Rarest Diseases In The World That You Never Heard Of
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Vampire Syndrome
No, Vampire Syndrome doesn't mean you literally turn into a vampire, but the actual disease is stil pretty gruesome. Vampire's Disease, or Porphyria, deals with the abnormality in chemicals steps related to red blood cells. The symptoms include deformities in the skin. Other types of it can also impact the nervous system. Because some of these symptoms are linked to vampire culture, the name Vampire's Disease came about. Very few people suffer from the disease.
Vampire Syndrome
No, Vampire Syndrome doesn't mean you literally turn into a vampire, but the actual disease is stil pretty gruesome. Vampire's Disease, or Porphyria, deals with the abnormality in chemicals steps related to red blood cells. The symptoms include deformities in the skin. Other types of it can also impact the nervous system. Because some of these symptoms are linked to vampire culture, the name Vampire's Disease came about. Very few people suffer from the disease.
Parry-Romberg Syndrome
Only about 4 out of 1 million people suffer from Parry–Romberg syndrome, which typically impacts females under the age of 15. The condition is known for skin deformities with part of the skin appearing to shrink or degenerate. The actual cause of the disease is still being debated among scientists. An MRI scan is used to determine if a patient has Parry–Romberg syndrome. It won't always impact all of the patient's skin, just parts of it.
Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome
Think of Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome as Benjamin Button syndrome, but backwards. Children with this disease end up aging at a rapid pace. Young kids could, in a short period of time, suddenly look like a senior citizen. There are developmental issues relating to slow growth that can occur. Patients also suffer from sudden hair loss, hearing loss, and osteoarthritis. There is no cure yet, but doctors are able to use medicine to diminish certain symptoms.
Water Allergy
Out of all of the allergies in the world, it must be problematic to have a water allergy. A water allergy, or Aquagenic urticaria, means that a patient cannot get in contact with water. If they do, they can develop a painful reaction. This is very difficult to live with, especially considering most of the planet is made out of water. There currently is no cure for this disease.
Werewolf Syndrome
Werewolf syndrome, or Hypertrichosis, is a genetic disorder relating to excessive hair growth in certain places where there shouldn't really be any hair. Some people are born with this syndrome, and others suddenly develop it later in life. While the disease is known for making people look like a werewolf, there are also other symptoms. Some patients will reportedly lose their teeth. Only a handful of people with the disease display the worst symptoms.
Microcephaly
Microcephaly is a disease that strikes newborns. This is a condition that occurs when a baby suffers from diminished brain development, thus making their heads looks smaller. In addition to the physical deformity, there are also other symptoms relating to developmental issues. Doctors can provide supportive care, but there is no cure yet. Despite the brain issues, most children with Microcephaly have normal intelligence.
Tree Man Syndrome
A condition that turns a person into a "tree man" is never a good thing. Known as Epidermodysplasia verruciformis, this genetic skin disease often results in scaly macules and papules on feet and hands. People with Tree Man syndrome are often vulnerable to the human papillomaviruses. The good news is that it is very rare and a tiny percentage of people have ever contracted the disease. However, no cure currently exists for patients.
Argyria
If you see people with purple or silver skin, it might be because of Argyria. This disease involves enhanced exposure to chemical compounds that result in the abnormal skin color. One reason behind the disease is exposure to these compounds in the air and in the water. Recent environmental developments have diminished the likelihood of catching this disease. Some people call it Blue Man syndrome, even though patients look more purple than blue.
Stoneman Syndrome
Stoneman Syndrome, or Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva, involves a genetic mutation with muscle and bones. Patients who sustain injuries can have their joints become permanently frozen with no movements possible. There are only a couple of hundred cases worldwide of the disease. It is nicknamed Stoneman syndrome due to bones turning into a stone-like substance. With no current treatment, scientists are trying to research a way to end the disease once and for all.
Elephantiasis
People with massive swelling around their legs might suffer from what is called Elephantiasis. The disease primarily impacts the lymph nodes and lymph vessels of a patients. With less than 1,000 cases per year, it is considered a rare disease. It is spread by infected mosquitoes. Unlike other rare diseases, there is actually a cure in place. There are drugs created that can kill the parasites from the disease if taken regularly.
Cotard Delusion
Cotard Delusion is a very rare disease that most people are not aware of. The patient suffers from a major mental illness that involves believing in some far-fetched ideas. Those with Cotard Delusion might actually believe that they are already dead, or a ghost, or that they are imaginary. They even believe that they don't have any organs. Medication and therapy can be used to help patients overcome this disease. it is named after neurologist Jules Cotard.
Alien Hand Syndrome
Sorry alien enthusiasts, but this disease has nothing to do with UFOs. It is a neurological condition that only a few people suffer from. With Alien Hand Syndrome, patients believe that their own limbs are acting in a manner that is beyond their control. Most patients say that their left hands are the limbs that they don't control. It is linked to other neurological disorders. It could also happen to patients who recently had major brain surgery.
Foreign Accent Syndrome
There have only been 62 reported cases of Foreign accent syndrome in the past century, but most people are familiar with this rare disease. Those who have Foreign accent syndrome suddenly gain the ability to speak in a foreign accent. For example, an American suddenly speaking with a British accent. The cause of this condition is still being debated among researchers. However, it is possible that major head trauma could be one thing that causes it to occur.
Lion Face Syndrome
Also known as Leontiasis, Lion face syndrome involves the overgrowth of facial and cranial bones. While you don't turn into an actual lion, some people say that patients develop a face that is similar in nature to a lion. Truth be told, Lion face syndrome is not the actual disease. Instead, it is a symptom of another hereditary skin disease. There is no cure yet, but researchers are still looking for a possible treatment someday.
Alice in Wonderland Syndrome
If you are a big fan of Alice in Wonderland, you might think that this condition is part of the tale. But, it is actually a serious neuropsychological condition that is very rare. Patients with Alice in Wonderland syndrome experience all types of size distortion and perception issues. Researchers believe that the condition stems from severe headaches or the use of certain mind-altering drugs. For patients, the distortions can occur several times a day with no warning.
Proteus Syndrome
If you are familiar with the Greek god Proteus, then you know that he could change his body. That describes Proteus syndrome, which involves tissue overgrowth on someone's body. There have only been about 200 cases of this worldwide, including 100 people who are still alive today. There is also some hope for patients as researchers are currently testing a drug that could be the cure for it.
Exploding Head Syndrome
Don't worry, no one's head is going to explode here. Instead, this disease in neurological in nature. With Exploding Head syndrome, a patient believes that they are hearing loud explosion noises in their head. Obviously, this can be a difficult thing to live with. It is a rare problem to have. Researchers have yet to find the cause for it, but they think that stress and anxiety might be two of the biggest causes behind it.
Necrotizing fasciitis
Necrotizing fasciitis is a flesh eating disease. The bacteria will eat the flesh under the skin and will make it look discolored. About 20,000 people in the United States suffer from Necrotizing fasciitis. Patients might also suffer from a high fever or chills. There are two forms of treatment available for patients. The first treatment involves IV antibiotics. If that doesn't work, surgery is also an option to help remove dead skin.
Kuru Disease
Kuru is an extremely rare disease. With Kuru, an infectious protein causes patients to receive massive neurological damage. Patients might also experience random bursts of laughter. Kuru was more popular years ago as it was reportedly transmitted by the Fore tribe of Papua New Guinea that practiced cannibalism. The disease as transmitted when people eat human brains. With less cannibalism in the world, fewer people were able to spread the disease.
Von hippel-lindau syndrome
Von hippel-lindau syndrome is a rare disease that involves tumors popping up in different organs at different times. Some of the tumors might be benign and others might be malignant. it is a hereditary disease that is caused by a mutated gene. Patients who have this rare disease might also suffer from headaches, dizziness, problems walking, and other conditions. While there remains no cure for it, doctors are able to provide relief for patients who can detect it early on.
