What should be paid attention to in daily life for albinism?

Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
Updated on September 24, 2024
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For those with albinism, it is crucial to avoid sunlight exposure, especially during strong ultraviolet radiation. It’s advisable to minimize going outdoors or use sun-protection tools such as wearing long-sleeved clothing, hats, and sunglasses to reduce direct UV damage to the eyes and skin.

For patients with a syndromic type of albinism, once a genetic diagnosis is confirmed, it is essential to inform the doctor about the condition when undergoing dental extractions or major surgeries, so that preventive measures against bleeding can be prepared.

Furthermore, patients with albinism must seek genetic counseling and reproductive guidance before marriage and childbirth. If skin lesions are mild in the early stages of albinism, proactive cooperation with medical staff and a diet rich in vitamins are recommended.

Other Voices

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Written by Zhang Jian Bo
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Vitiligo is what kind of disease?

Albinism is a congenital hereditary skin disease, which primarily manifests as the pigment loss or localized, or complete depigmentation of the skin, hair, and eyes. Clinically, it can be categorized into localized albinism and generalized albinism. The onset of the disease may be significantly related to defects in certain genes, hence it has a strong genetic component. Its manifestation includes whitening of the skin and hair, as well as loss of pigment in the eyes. Due to the lack of pigment, symptoms may include photophobia, tearing, and a decrease in vision. Currently, there are no particularly effective treatments for albinism. The main approach includes avoiding light exposure and applying sunblocks and ointments to prevent the occurrence of skin tumors.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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If vitiligo is not treated, what are the consequences?

If albinism is not treated, it can have serious consequences. Primarily, albinism affects the pigmentation of hair and the retina at the back of the eye. Lack of pigment in the retina can lead to photophobia, and some individuals may experience nystagmus, with severe cases showing a significant decrease in vision. The vision of some individuals with albinism may range between 0.05 to 0.1, which has a significant impact on eyesight. If left untreated, albinism also greatly affects the skin. Individuals with albinism are sensitive to light and are prone to skin cancer under strong ultraviolet radiation. Moreover, some rare types of albinism can cause a decrease in platelet function, leading to a tendency to bleed at a certain age, as well as pulmonary fibrosis. Albinism is primarily a genetic condition caused by mutations and is linked to heredity. The main issue in albinism is a disruption in melanin formation, leading to reduced pigmentation.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
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Can albinism be detected during pregnancy?

Prenatal genetic testing during pregnancy can be used to diagnose albinism. The incidence of albinism is very low, making it a rare disease clinically, yet it is not included in routine prenatal screening programs. If there are family members with albinism, especially couples who have already had children with the condition, prenatal testing and genetic counseling are necessary. Prenatal genetic testing can identify the specific gene mutation sites within the family. Furthermore, it allows for the use of third-generation IVF techniques to select embryos without the paternal or maternal gene mutations, which can then be implanted in the mother's body to prevent the birth of another child with albinism.

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Written by Gao Tian
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Can people with albinism have eye surgery?

Generally, it is possible. Because people with albinism have eyes that are more sensitive to light, mainly because albinism affects the sclera and eyeballs, leading to this condition. However, surgery cannot restore the lost pigmentation in the eyeballs, meaning it is impossible to change the alterations on the eyeballs. It is necessary to prevent strong sunlight exposure, and the only option is to wear sunglasses, which can also reduce the stimulation of ultraviolet rays to the eyes, protect the eyes, reduce external damage, and ensure one can live normally as much as possible. Additionally, this type of disease may lead to malignant skin diseases and other issues due to prolonged exposure to sunlight.

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Does albinism have anything to do with blood type?

Albinism is not related to blood type; it is related to genetics. Albinism is a skin and appendage disorder caused by a deficiency or reduced function of tyrosinase. It is somewhat related to hereditary factors, and also to the lack or synthesis obstruction of melanin. If both parents pass the pathogenic gene they carry to their children, then the children may develop this type of albinism. Ocular albinism is usually an X-linked recessive genetic disorder, mainly transmitted from mothers carrying the albinism gene to their sons, leading to the onset of the disease. Albinism is not directly related to blood type. If albinism occurs, it is advisable to consult and treat at a hospital, and to take preventive measures against the disease before pregnancy.