August 29, 2019

Anna Murray 

From April to June there were 17 children in Spain developed a condition known as werewolf syndrome (hypertrichosis) with excessive hair growth all over the body.

Until recently, the Spanish Agency for Medicine and Medical Devices reportedly solved the mystery and discovered that a shipment of minoxidil sent by Smilax Laboratories Limited in India to the Spanish pharmaceutical firm Farma-Química Sur SL was mistakenly mixed up with one of omeprazole as common treatment for children's heartburn.

After these children were accidentally given hair-loss drugs for treating their heartburn, hairs grown rapidly on babies' forehead, cheeks, arms and legs caused serious panics for parents all across Spain. Spain’s Ministry of Health had prohibited Farma-Química Sur from manufacturing any medicines until this incident has been resolved.

Health officials said werewolf syndrome is temporary and will eventually fade away after stopping the mixed-up medicine. Others suggested removing the unwanted hair by shaving or laser hair removal.

Photo:Webshot.