Infants Grow Excessive Body Hair in Outbreak of 'Werewolf Syndrome'
Researchers believe the children were exposed to topical minoxidil, a hair-growth medication, used by caregivers
Pedro Puente Hoyos/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Stock images of a child who has werewolf syndrome.Eleven babies in Europe have developed hypertrichosis — commonly known as “werewolf syndrome,” which is excessive hair growth over the entire body — after exposure to their caregivers’ topical hair-regrowth medication.
The babies and toddlers were exposed to medication containing 5% of the hair-regrowth component minoxidil, according to a report in El Economista. The caregivers had been prescribed the medication for baldness, as well as alopecia areata, which the Cleveland Clinic explains is “an autoimmune disease that attacks your body’s hair follicles, causing patchy hair loss.”
The Pharmacovigilance Center of Navarre (CFN) in Spain began investigating minoxidil exposure in April 2023 after a baby boy developed excessive hair on his back, legs, and thighs, over the course of two months, Newsweek explains.
AP Photo/Sergio Ruiz
Stock image of a child who developed werewolf syndrome.Related: Lili Reinhart Reveals She Was Diagnosed with Alopecia
From there, the CFN discovered more cases of werewolf syndrome, all linked to the hair-regrowth medication, the publication says. It’s believed that the babies absorbed the topical minoxidil either orally (by sucking on treated skin), or through skin-to-skin contact.
“Infant skin is functionally still developing, and the impaired barrier function of newborn skin makes it more susceptible to chemical irritation and local or systemic infections compared with adults,” the National Library of Medicine explains.
Another report from the National Library of Medicine explained further. “Very immature infants in the early neonatal period have a poorly developed epidermis, which is readily permeable to drugs. The main consequences of percutaneous absorption are hazardous. Topically applied agents are absorbed, causing toxic systemic effects that may result in illness.”
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!
Related: Woman Seeks Treatment for Excessive Hair Growth on Her Face and Hair Loss on Her Head
Once exposure to minoxidil ceased, the children stopped growing excessive hair.
However, while “hypertrichosis is the most common” side effect from minoxidil exposure, the National Library of Medicine notes there are other risks, including “fluid retention, arrhythmia, electrocardiogram alterations and pericarditis.”
As Newsweek reports, minoxidil packages in Europe will now have a warning label advising users to avoid touching young children after applying the medication.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Read the original article on People
