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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffComplications of albinism include physical risks as well as social and emotional challenges.
Skin disorders
One of the most serious complications associated with albinism is the risk of sunburn and skin cancer. Long-term exposure to the sun may also cause skin to become coarse, rough and thick (pachyderma).
Social and emotional factors
The reactions of other people to those with albinism can often have a negative impact on people with the condition:
- Children with albinism often experience name-calling, teasing or questions regarding their appearance, eyewear or visual aid devices.
- Many people with albinism find the word "albino" hurtful because they're being labeled simply on the basis of a condition rather than being thought of as individuals.
- A long history of myths has attributed supernatural powers or deviant personalities to people with albinism.
- People with albinism usually look very different from members of their own families or ethnic groups and, therefore, may either feel like outsiders or be treated like outsiders.
All of these factors may contribute to social isolation, poor self-esteem and stress.
- Hornyak TJ. Albinism and other genetic disorders of pigmentation. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Professional; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2959771. Accessed Feb. 23, 2009.
- Wolff K, et al. Pigmentary disorders. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Professional; 2005. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=751347. Accessed Feb. 23, 2009.
- Oculocutaneous albinism. Genetics Home Reference. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=oculocutaneousalbinism. Accessed Feb. 23, 2009.
- Albinism. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec10/ch123/ch123b.html. Accessed Feb. 25, 2009.
- King RA, et al. Oculocutaneous albinism type 1. Gene Reviews. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=gene&part=oca1. Accessed Feb. 25, 2009.
- King RA, et al. Oculocutaneous albinism type 2. Gene Reviews. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=gene&part=oca2. Accessed Feb. 25, 2009.
- TYRP1. Genetics Home Reference. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene=tyrp1. Accessed Feb. 25, 2009.
- Brilliant MH. Oculocutaneous albinism type 4. Gene Reviews. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=gene&part=oca4. Accessed Feb. 25, 2009.
- What is albinism? National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH). http://www.albinism.org/publications/what_is_albinism.html. Accessed Feb. 23, 2009.
- LYST. Genetics Home Reference. http://ghr.nlm.nih.gov/gene=lyst. Accessed Feb. 25, 2009.
- Albinism. American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. http://www.aapos.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=62. Accessed March 5, 2009.
