What Happened to the Guy Who Was Bullied as a “Monkey” and “Werewolf”

Lalit Patidar, a 19-year-old from central India, was born with hypertrichosis, an extremely rare condition that causes thick hair to grow all over his face and body. As a child, he endured relentless teasing and was cruelly nicknamed the “monkey boy,” which made it difficult for him to form friendships and led to years of social isolation.

Lalit’s parents couldn’t believe their eyes when they first saw him.

Lalit’s birth was a surprise to his mother, who discovered that his entire body was covered in hair. The nurse attending his birth was taken aback by his appearance and called a doctor for examination. Fortunately, the doctor reassured the family that Lalit was healthy and merely shaved his hair without any further intervention.

Over the years, the family remained unaware of Lalit’s condition and attempted numerous treatments and remedies, all of which proved ineffective. They described it as a birth defect, as the hair neither grew longer nor shorter.

About 1 in 340 million people get affected by the same condition.

Hypertrichosis, also known as werewolf syndrome, is a rare medical condition characterized by excessive hair growth throughout the body. This condition is primarily attributed to gene mutations and is unrelated to male hormones. Its physical resemblance to werewolves has led to its popular nickname.

The prevalence of hypertrichosis is incredibly low, affecting only approximately one in 340 million individuals. As a result, there are currently reported cases of only around 50 people worldwide with this condition.

He feels uncomfortable due to the hair on his face.

Lalit encounters various challenges in his everyday life as a result of hypertrichosis. His condition affects his vision, eating, and breathing. Expressing his desire for a hair-free existence, he shared his wish to grow up without the burden of excessive hair.

The hair obstructs his vision, making it hard for him to see clearly. During meals, it causes discomfort as it enters his mouth. Additionally, there are instances when he experiences difficulty in breathing properly.

Lalit’s social life has also faced issues.

In addition to the physical challenges, Lalit also endured social hardships because of his condition. During his early childhood, Lalit was subjected to mockery and taunting from his classmates due to his appearance. His friend revealed that as they walked together, other children would jeer at Lalit, labeling him as a “monkey” and even resorting to throwing stones.

However, their teacher intervened and reprimanded the class, emphasizing the importance of treating others with respect and empathy, including Lalit. Following this scolding, the mocking ceased, and they all began playing together as friends.

Now, his life is quite normal.

Lalit’s future remains uncertain, but his family was informed that surgical treatment might become an option during his teenage years.

“If there’s a cure, the doctors say it might happen,” his father said. “Things could change because of hormonal changes. But if that doesn’t happen, then surgery might be an option.”

Despite the various physical and social obstacles he faced, Lalit currently leads a typical teenage life and feels content with his condition. The derogatory labels he endured did not hinder him from pursuing his interests and forming friendships. Lalit aspires to become a police officer after completing his studies. Presently, he actively engages as a vlogger on Instagram, boasting a substantial following of over 250,000 individuals.

Here, you can read the story of the world’s hairiest girl, who also lives with this rare condition.