More than a dozen young children grew hair all over their body in what Spain’s health ministry is calling “werewolf syndrome.”
But parents don’t need to look to lunar cycles or superstitions to find out what happened. Officials say the bizarre condition can be attributed to a mix-up in medicine.
Health Minister Maria Luisa Carcedo said earlier this week that the 17 children – some still infants – in Cantabria, Andalusia and Valencia affected by “werewolf syndrome” were given medication believed to be omeprazole, which helps with acid reflux.
Instead, authorities discovered the medication instead contained minoxidil, which is used for hair loss.
The 17 kids have now developed a rare condition known as hypertrichosis, or an abnormal amount of hair growth all over the body.
Officials at FarmaQuimica Sur discovered the mistake in June.
The children should see symptoms stop as soon as they cease taking the medication, the ministry said.
The Andalusia Health Department said the three babies and a 7-year-old in their area affected by the medication have since recovered and are doing well.
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