Pruthviraj Patil: one poor kid.

Pruthviraj Patil is an 11-year-old boy who lives in a village near Bombay, India. In many ways, he is an average kid: he is healthy; he likes sports; he is popular with kids his age.

However, (as you can see by the pictures) Pruthviraj has a very rare condition known as hypertrichosis (aka Werewolf Syndrome). The condition not only produces excessive facial hair but hair all over the body. It is estimated that there are only 50 people alive who suffer from this condition.

He and his parents have tried all sorts of remedies, from ancient Indian remedies to modern laser surgery. Nothing works. The hair just keeps growing back.

Pruthviraj has been in the news lately because he has publicly asked doctors to help him find a permanent cure for his condition.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/1958178/%27Werewolf-boy%27-begs-for-cure-to-rare-conditon.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/1960632/Werewolf-boy-What-is-hypertrichosis.html

note: both pictures are of Pruthviraj. The one to the left was apparently taken after a treatment.