Bolanle Akanji
Moderator
Life for Brianie Copeland, 17, isn't very easy as she is allergic to everything from dust to grass and even some clothes.
The teenager spends her days swathed in bandages as a result of the eczema, dermatitis, arthritis and asthma caused by her multiple allergies.
She cannot handle everyday items such as cleaning products, strong light and even heat from the radiator and she is often home-bound as exposure to the outside world leaves her with blistered skin and painful rashes.
'I have to apply cream two or three times a day and I wear bandages every night to keep the cream on my skin,' explains Brianie.
'I also have to have a bath at least twice a day. If I don't my skin cracks and dries out. It is really painful.'
'I have to avoid certain foods such as diary products, wheat, soya, nuts and oats,' she explains. 'If I eat them my throat starts to swell up and close. I also take ten tablets a day.'
She is unable to lead a normal life and will never be able to wear make-up as she is also allergic to that.
But despite the pain and the current non-availability of a cure to her rare ailment, she insists that she wouldn't want to live any other way.
'I grew up wearing bandages constantly so I don't know any different,' she explained. 'People say to me if there was a cure would I take it but I don't think I would.
'Although it is hard sometimes, I like being different to everyone else. I wouldn't have it any other way.'
The teenager spends her days swathed in bandages as a result of the eczema, dermatitis, arthritis and asthma caused by her multiple allergies.
She cannot handle everyday items such as cleaning products, strong light and even heat from the radiator and she is often home-bound as exposure to the outside world leaves her with blistered skin and painful rashes.
'I have to apply cream two or three times a day and I wear bandages every night to keep the cream on my skin,' explains Brianie.
'I also have to have a bath at least twice a day. If I don't my skin cracks and dries out. It is really painful.'
'I have to avoid certain foods such as diary products, wheat, soya, nuts and oats,' she explains. 'If I eat them my throat starts to swell up and close. I also take ten tablets a day.'
She is unable to lead a normal life and will never be able to wear make-up as she is also allergic to that.
But despite the pain and the current non-availability of a cure to her rare ailment, she insists that she wouldn't want to live any other way.
'I grew up wearing bandages constantly so I don't know any different,' she explained. 'People say to me if there was a cure would I take it but I don't think I would.
'Although it is hard sometimes, I like being different to everyone else. I wouldn't have it any other way.'
