9 Rare Conditions That Are Real

1.

Alopecia is an autoimmune disease in which hair is lost from some or all areas of the body, usually from the scalp due to the body's failure to recognize "self" and destroys its own tissue as if it were an invader.

2.

Xeroderma Pigmentosum, also known as “Vampire Syndrome” is a condition causing extreme sensitivity to UV rays. People who suffer from it must be completely shielded from sunlight, or will experience extreme sunburns and breakdown of the skin.

3.

Alien Hand Syndrome is a condition that involves a rogue hand that acts independently, grasping objects or moving in a way contrary to what the individual wishes to do.

4.

Fish Odor Syndrome: an inherited metabolic disorder triggered by an enzyme deficiency that prevents the breakdown of trimethylamine, responsible for the offensive smell associated with decaying fish. As a result, a fishy odor is detected in the urine, sweat, and breath. There is no cure for this.

5.

Nystagmus is a condition of (usually) involuntary eye movement, often called "dancing eyes".

6.

Achromia is the complete or partial absence of pigment in the skin, hair and eyes due to absence or defect of tyrosinase, a copper-containing enzyme involved in the production of melanin.

7.

Oligodactyly is a congenital condition describing the presence of fewer than five digits on a hand or foot.

8.

Hyperekplexia is a condition that involves an extreme reaction to stimuli that causes uncontrollable jumps and startle-induced falls.

9.

Polymelia is a birth defect, in which the affected individual has more than the usual number of limbs.

10.

Nevus of Ota is a degeneration of the eye, resulting from hyper-pigmentation. It doesn't affect the vision itself.