Paramedic’s lips double in size after mystery condition leaves her struggling to breathe

The idiopathic urticaria sufferer was previously believed to have a nut allergy, after suffering a similar reaction for six days aged 16.

But her condition was diagnosed after she was hospitalised in ­intensive care for four days ­following a reaction last year.

Lydia, from Ballincollig, in Ireland, went on to suffer head-to-toe hives for six months, ranging from the size of a pin-prick to covering her stomach, and at their worst forcing her to go to hospital every week.

Her symptoms mysteriously disappeared in August, leaving her relieved but also fearful they could come back at any point.

The student, who lives in Chelmsford said: "I came out in a rash from head to toe, it happened in an evening almost straight away.

STRUGGLING TO BREATHE

"My lips definitely doubled in size, it was terrifying because I didn't know what was happening.

"When I was admitted to the ICU, I thought I was having a severe allergic ­reaction like anaphylaxis, because I was struggling to breathe, and my tongue and lips were so swollen.

"Medication took down the ­swelling but the next day it all came back while I was in ­intensive care, then it continued to repeat over and over again.

"After five days in hospital and tests, the allergen markers in my blood weren't raised, which ­indicated that it wasn't an allergic reaction. I was told I've idiopathic urticaria, meaning it can start without a cause."

Lydia was completely debilitated by the bizarre allergy, which affected all of her limbs. Yet despite trying everything she could think of to eliminate potential ­triggers, she couldn't find a cause.

She explained: "The daily rashes affected my whole body, I would wake up with them every day, they were really itchy and large.

"They even covered the palms of my hands and soles of my feet, it made me feel unwell, as I was so exhausted from being unable to sleep due to being so itchy.

"I couldn't see any identifiable causes — I changed my bedsheets, my diet, my body wash, shampoo, make-up and everything."

Thankfully, the rash started to subside in August — and has now disappeared ­completely. However, she constantly fears that the mystery condition will ­reappear.

She said: "I'm worried it will come back next year as it started during the cold spell in the UK, so I do wonder if it's related to snow and cold weather.

"I'm delighted that I don't have to deal with it any more — training to be a paramedic is full on and when you're with the public, people comment
on the rash."

During Lydia's battle with the rashes, strangers have treated her differently.

Source: thesun.co.uk

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