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Those infants grew excessive amounts of tufty hair measuring up to 5 cm across their back, legs and face.
Minoxidil is for the treatment of androgenic alopecia. (Photo Credits: X)
Almost a dozen cases of werewolf syndrome have been reported in Spain since the last year. All the victims are infants who have somehow taken a certain hair-loss medicine containing minoxidil. Medically recognised as hypertrichosis, the rare condition can be characterised by unusual hair growth in different body parts. The Navarra Pharmacovigilance Center has identified 11 cases of werewolf syndrome across Spain. It was discovered that all of them took 5 per cent topical minoxidil, as reported by El Economista.
Those infants grew excessive amounts of tufty hair measuring up to 5 cm across their back, legs and face. Their appearance may resemble fictional characters like ‘Wookiees’ from the Star Wars franchise. As per the report, the babies perhaps took the minoxidil drug orally or else it might be absorbed through their skin.
“The condition receded completely when caregivers ceased using the treatment,” El Economista claimed. Minoxidil is a common substance existing in several well-known over-the-counter hair loss remedies, including Hims, Rogaine, Keeps and Equate. Hypertrichosis is not curable but symptoms can be controlled by cutting, shaving or waxing the extra hair.
The first case of werewolf syndrome came to light in 2023 when a breastfeeding baby grew excessive hair across its body over two months since April. After consulting with the family, health investigators learnt at that time, his father was using a topical minoxidil drug for the treatment of androgenic alopecia. The man immediately stopped applying the medicine. The baby’s symptoms were also regressed entirely.
Minoxidil, sold in the UK under the brand Regaine, is available as a liquid or foam with a two or five per cent strength. It functions by facilitating blood flow to the skin’s hair follicles, which are responsible for hair growth by bringing aged cells together.
The medicine is applied straight to the skin. So, it’s very easy for a newborn to get exposed to it if their parents are using minoxidil. Symptoms of werewolf syndrome can go away after stopping the hair growth treatment but it can take a toll on the kidneys and heart of those young babies. In the wake of the recent cases, every minoxidil medicine sold in Europe will now have warnings about hypertrichosis in their packages.
