Top Ten Strangest Diseases

10. Elephantiasis

This extremely unfortunate disease is caused my mosquitos transmitting small parasitic worms into the host, which causes certain areas of the body to swell up to over 10 times their normal size. Whilst the disease is caused by these parasitic worms, to actually contract the disease still involves several factors to occur including the host’s immune system reaction, meaning someone suiffering this disease has had several decisions go the wrong way! Common parts of the body to swell up include the legs and genitalia.

9. Progeria

This genetic condition is characterised by the appearance of aging associated with elderly people becoming apparent at an extremely early age. Sufferers will have wrinkled skin, brittle bones, limited growth and baldness. People who suffer from Progeria will also typically have a small jaw and nose. It is possible that Progeria may have been the inspiration to the short story “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” about a boy who aged backwards, and Progeria was also seen in the movie Jack starring Robin Williams about a boy who aged 4 times faster than normal. Because of the rarity of the disease and the short expected life span of its sufferers, there are estimated less than 100 people currently alive with the disease at any one time. There is no cure.

8. Hypertrichosis – Werewolf Syndrome

Hypertrichosis, or the Werewolf Syndrome as it is commonly dubbed, is excessive hair growth in abmornal places, most significantly the face. Severe sufferers look similar to how werewolfs are depicted in film, hence the name. The disease can be from birth or acquired. Many people suffering from Hypertrichosis have been known to entertain by becoming “circus freaks”. If the disorder was from birth, then there is no known cure, and it was acquired during later life, then fighting the underlying causes should cure the problem. Other than the aesthetic problems, sufferers of Hypertrichosis can live an otherwise normal life.

7. Human Papilloma Virus

The Human Papilloma Virus by itself it a relatively harmless and common problem which is often symptom less or only apparent in small warts, but when combined with immune system deficiencies can result in bizarre root like growths all over the body, resembling the roots you would expect to find on a tree. This is what happened to Indonesian man Ded Koswara, dubbed the “Tree Man” who contracted the unusual version of the condition after cutting his knee. A series of operations and Vitamin A tablets have helped the problem, but Dede knows he will never have perfectly normal body.

6. Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive

This unusual genetic disease is characterized by extra or elongated bones. The mutations can occur when the body is damaged and attempts to repair itself, causing mutation of the bones or extra bones. Often early symptoms will be elongated toes or fingers, and latter stages can affect the spine. There is no cure for Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive.

5. Moebius Syndrome

This unfortunate disease involves the sufferer having complete facial paralysis, including the inability to move ones eyes or eat and often can have trouble breathing. Sometimes the disease can also effect the chest and other limbs but people who have Moebius Syndrome often will have completely normal intelligence. Sadly there is no known cure to completely rid of the disorder.

4. Blaschko’s lines

Blaschko's lines are an extremely rare and unexplained phenomenon of human anatomy. Blaschko's lines are an invisible pattern built into human DNA. Many inherited and acquired diseases of the skin or mucosa manifest themselves according to these patterns, creating the visual appearance of stripes. Many people will have a V sign on their back and S signs on their chests.

3. Ichthyosis

Ichthyosis is a genetic skin disorder were upon the sufferer will exhibit dry, flaky or even scaly skin. Often in severe cases of the disease, the skin of the people it inflicts can resemble the skin of a fish. There are cures to Ichthyosis which often involve hydration of the dry skin using oils and gels.

2. Proteus Syndrome

This disease causes unusual bone growths to appear making the sufferer seem deformed. Victims to Proteus Syndrome may also suffer accelerated head growth, and this can lead to other serious health issues. An example of this disease was seen in the movie “Mask” and it is this disease that many people now believe Joseph Merrick (a.k.a. the Elephant Man”) suffered from. Despite ongoing research, no real cure has yet to be found.

1. Necrotizing fasciitis – the flesh eating disease

Commonly dubbed the flesh eating disease because this extremely awful ailment literally causes the layers of skin to rot away. Thankfully a rare infection, those unlucky enough to fall foul of it will experience extreme pain in the infected area, which leads to swollen, red skin and ultimately will see their skin rot away. Necrotizing fasciitis can enter the body alarmingly easily, through any cut or bruise. The only successful treatment is removing infected tissue, which often can mean amputation of limbs.