Hypopigmentation
Albinism affects the production of melanin, the pigment that colours skin, hair and eyes.
People with albinism have a reduced amount of melanin or no melanin at all, which can cause characteristic signs andsymptoms often obvious from birth.
Depending on the amount of melaninthe person has, they may have very pale hair, skin and eyes,although some people with albinism can have brown or ginger hair and skin that can tan.
People with albinism also usually have a number of eye conditions, such as:
Without melanin, ultraviolet (UV) raysin sunlight can easily damage their skin ( Sunburn ) and increase their risk of developing skin cancer .
This helps scientists look for better ways to prevent and treat this condition. You can opt out of the register at any time.
Find out more about the register .
You may be invited to take part in the 100,000 Genomes Project.
Your DNA will be studied to find out more about the cause of your albinism. The aim is to create a new personalised medicine service for the NHS. This should transform the way people are cared for.
Albinism is an inherited condition that affects the production of melanin, the pigment that colours the skin, hair and eyes.
In albinism, the lack of the pigment melanin affects the colour of a person's hair, skin and/or eyes.
Albinism is caused by a lack of the pigment melanin, which gives hair, skin and eyes their colour.
In most cases, albinism will be obvious from a baby's characteristics when they are born.
Albinism itself does not need to be treated, but the associated skin and eye problems often do.