As The World Marks International Albinism Awareness Day 2020, Here Are Some Facts You Should Know About Albinism

• Adetoun Ogunlami
• June 13, 2020
• Health, Trending
• albinism, causes of albibism, internationalalbinismday, meaning of albinism, types of albinism
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Albinism can be defined as a rare group of genetic disorders that causes the skin, hair, or eyes to have little or no color.

It also occurs when a person produces little or no melanin in their skin and is usually associated with vision problems.

The prevalence rate of albinism in Nigeria is ranked amongst the highest in the world with an estimated figure of over two million albinos living in the country.

Statistics also show that over 600,000 Nigerians living with albinism suffer discrimination from their families, schoolmates, and peers.

International Albinism Awareness Day is celebrated annually on June 13 to celebrate the human rights of people with albinism worldwide.

The theme of this year is called ‘Made to Shine’.

Here are some things to know about Albinism.

These 6 Steps Are Important In Helping Your Child Cope With Albinism

Causes Of Albinism

Albinism is caused by a mutation in one of these genes. The mutation may result in no melanin at all or a significantly reduced amount of melanin.

A defect in one of several genes that produce or distribute melanin causes albinism. The defect may result in the absence of melanin production, or a reduced amount of melanin production. The defective gene passes down from both parents to the child and leads to albinism.

Different types of albinism can occur, based mainly on which gene mutation caused the disorder.

Symptoms of Albinism

People with albinism will have the following symptoms:

• an absence of color in the hair, skin, or eyes
• lighter than normal coloring of the hair, skin, or eyes
• patches of skin that have an absence of color

Treatment of Albinism

• sunglasses to protect the eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays
• protective clothing and sunscreen to protect the skin from UV rays
• prescription eyeglasses to correct vision problems
• surgery on the muscles of the eyes to correct abnormal eye movements