When I first saw this on the Huffington Post, I thought it was some joke. But it's not.
Pruthviraj Patil, 11, is said to be probably one of few dozens of people in the world affected by a genetic disorder known as hypertrichosis, causing a thick layer of hair to grow on every part of the body except palms and feet.
When he was born in a village near Mumbai, his mother was told she had given birth to a god, but in school, there have been more bullies than believers.
An episode of the TLC series "My Shocking Story" chronicled the efforts of a group of Columbia scientists, including dermatologist Angela Christiano, to develop a cure for Pruthviraj's disorder, which is estimated to afflict fewer than 50 people on the planet.
Pruthviraj's family has tried every imaginable treatment, from homeopathy to laser surgery to a trip to the local barber, but the hair always grows back.
More photos and a video here.
The article also mentions that most cases of such syndrome are found in South Asia. Has anybody read about such cases yet? Thoughts?
Please post them below.
