Despite the tremendous progress in medicine over the past century, researchers are still faced with many unsolved problems that require a logical explanation. But, unfortunately, scientists are not omnipotent, and in our world there are still many dangerous and strange diseases, the methods of treatment and the origin of which remain a mystery.
1. Syndrome of blue skin, or acanthokeratoderma
People with this diagnosis have blue or plum skin color. In the last century, a whole family of blue people lived in the US state of Kentucky. They were called the Blue Fugates. By the way, besides this hereditary disease, they did not have any other diseases, and most of this family lived for more than 80 years.
2. Aquagenic urticaria
Also known as water allergy. Patients experience a painful skin reaction upon contact with water. This is a real disease, although very rare. Only about 50 cases are described in the medical literature. Water intolerance causes a severe allergic response, sometimes even to rain, snow, sweat, or tears. The manifestations are usually more severe in women, and the first symptoms are found during puberty. The causes of water allergy are unclear, but symptoms can be treated with antihistamines.
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3. Restrained person syndrome
During the development of this syndrome, the patient's muscles become more and more constrained until he is completely paralyzed. Doctors aren't sure what exactly causes these symptoms; probable hypotheses include diabetes and mutating genes.
4. Allotriophagy
This disease is characterized by the use of inedible substances. People suffering from this disease have a constant urge to consume various types of non-food substances instead of food, including dirt, glue. That is, everything that comes to hand during an exacerbation. Doctors still have not found either the real cause of the disease or the method of treatment.
5. Blaszko lines
The disease is characterized by the appearance of unusual streaks throughout the body. This disease was first discovered by a German dermatologist in 1901. The main symptom of the disease is the appearance of visible asymmetrical stripes on the human body. Anatomy still cannot explain such a phenomenon as Blaschko Lines. There is an assumption that these lines are embedded in human DNA since time immemorial and are hereditary.
6. Maine Frenchman's Syndrome
The main symptom of this disease is severe fear if something unexpected happens to the patient. At the same time, a person susceptible to illness jumps up, starts screaming, waves his arms, stumbles, falls, starts rolling on the floor and cannot calm down for a long time. This disease was first recorded in the United States back in 1878 in a Frenchman, hence its name. Described by George Miller Byrd, the disease only affected French-Canadian loggers in northern Maine. Doctors believe it is a genetic disorder.
7. Porphyria
Some scientists believe that it was this disease that gave rise to myths and legends about vampires and werewolves. Why? The skin of patients afflicted with this disease blisters and "boils" upon contact with the sun's rays, and their gums "dry out", which makes their teeth look like canines. The stool turns purple. The causes of this disease are still not well understood. It is known to be hereditary and is associated with improper synthesis of red blood cells. Many scientists are inclined to believe that in most cases it occurs as a result of incest.