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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Albinism / Hypopigmentation / Albinos

Albinism - Overview

Albinism results in the partial or complete absence of pigment (color) in the skin, hair, and eyes. Commonly the individuals with the condition are called Albinos.

Albino individuals suffer from an inherited disorder of melanin production called Albinism. In this condition there is lack of pigmentation in the eyes, skin and hair. It is also known as hypopigmentation, oculocutaneous albinism or ocular albinism.

The natural pigment, melanin, is responsible for the color of our skin, hair and eyes. If the gene, encrypting this pigment is defective, our body will be pale and white. The tan a person gets is due to the increase in the pigment distribution when exposed to the ultra-violet rays of the sun. Melanin is a pigment that protects the skin from the harmful effects of UV light. The people in the tropics are darker for this reason, as they are more exposed to the sun, in comparison to the people who live in temperate climates.The less the sun, the more the paleness of the skin, hair and the eyes.

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