Mum fears son's 'werewolf syndrome' was caused by her eating cat during pregnancy

A woman believes a bizarre craving she had during pregnancy has caused her son to have 'werewolf syndrome'.

Jaren Gamongan, from Apayao, the Philippines, has a 'one-in-a-billion' medical condition.

The two-year-old has an incredibly rare syndrome called hypertrichosis. It's said that only 50 to 100 cases of the condition have ever been reported.

As a result, the young boy was born with a full head of hair, sideburns, and patches of hair on his face, neck, back and arms.

Two-year-old Jaren Gamongan has 'werewolf syndrome', which causes his face and body to be covered with hair. (ViralPress)

His superstitious mother, Alma, believes this is due to a curse she brought upon herself when she was pregnant.

She said that during her pregnancy, she had uncontrollable cravings for wild cats.

While this may sound horrifying to those of us who keep the fluffy creature as a pet, wild cats are actually an exotic delicacy in the remote mountain region where she lives.

So, Alma sought out a black feline from friends in her village and ate it.

But she soon came to regret the choice when Jaren was born, believing that eating the cat had cursed her.

Alma said: "I worry so much for him when it's time for him to go to school. He might get bullied for being different.

"I blamed myself when he was born because of the cravings I had. I felt very guilty. But then recently the doctors told me it was not related."

The condition is super rare. (ViralPress)

She says the condition causes a lot of itching and discomfort when it's hot but that her child is otherwise 'happy and playful'.

The mum added: "I will give him a bath when it's hot. We even tried to cut the hair, but it would just grow back even longer and thicker, so we stopped doing it."

Alma took her son to visit a dermatologist for the first time last month.

Dr Ravelinda Soriano Perez said: "We believe this was an inherited condition, but it is very rare. One in only one billion people could have it."

She added that while hypertrichosis does not have a cure, treatments such as laser hair removal could help with Jaren's discomfort.

"We will try to do ten sessions in four to six weeks and then observe," the medic said.

Each session of the treatment would cost Alma 2,500 Philippine pesos, (£33.60) and the mum-of-three is pleading for help to fund it.

She said: "I am very thankful to those who already helped us. I hope my son could have a better chance in life with your help."