A woman with a super-rare medical condition so severe that she has ended up crying blood has opened up about her experiences in a recent interview. Mother-of-one Jo Daniels, who hails from Carmarthenshire in Wales, was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson syndrome which affects the skin, mucous membrane, genitals and eyes. Jo first realised that she had Stevens-Johnson syndrome in February 2018, after she developed a persistent hacking cough. At first, she wrote it off as just a cold, but soon her condition deteriorated drastically.

She was rushed to Morriston Hospital in Swansea and put through a number of intense blood tests in March. Doctors told Jo that her's was the first case of Stevens-Johnson syndrome they'd ever seen. They believed that the obscure illness had been brought about by an infection which had made her immune system react violently. This had resulted in numerous skin lesions and leprosy-like symptoms. Her eyes and gums began bleeding, and the swollen flesh would sometimes slough off her in bits and pieces.

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Commenting on her rare condition Jo stated: "I was convinced I was going to die. The symptoms were horrific and unlike anything I had ever heard of before. It was like having severe burns across the whole of your mouth, nose and eyes and I was in constant pain, unable to eat or drink anything apart from small amounts of water."

"At its worst, parts of my face were starting to fall away and I remember one day finding a big chunk of something in my mouth – which I then realised was a bit of the inside of my cheek that had come away. It was as though I had leprosy. I knew it wasn’t measles ... By that stage, my symptoms were so bad that I was having to swallow clots of blood that were building up in my nose and I was constantly spitting blood. "

She added: "I was barely able to see because my eyes were bleeding. I was terrified ... As the skin started to get drier, big chunks of it began to come off on my lips and in my mouth. It was horrible ... My vision is now very bad because of the sores that were in my eyes. But, more than anything, I feel I have completely lost my confidence and my looks."

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"Anyone who hasn’t seen me since before it happened would think to themselves, ‘What’s happened to her?’ because it has transformed the way I look. Now I have bad teeth because it made my gums recede, my eyes are nearly always swollen and I can’t put make-up on, because I can’t see well enough to. I used to be a very sociable person, but I’ve been made an agoraphobic – meaning I don’t want to leave the house –  by this terrible illness.”

Thankfully, Jo was placed on a course of drugs, and after several weeks of great pain she managed to pull through. However, she has become less outgoing as a result of her condition and worries that another infection might do similar harm to her. For now though, she's concentrating on living her life to the full and regaining her old exuberance. Good luck, Jo!

When you browse the beauty aisle at the department store, you see a vast array of products, but how often do you check the ingredients? And how closely do you follow those directions in tiny font? It's tempting to just slop on that skin cream, make-up and hair dye, but allergic reactions are no joke. You might suffer a painful experience, or even lose your life.

In Paris, a 19-year-old English student named Estelle shared the horrifying result of an at-home hair dye kit. She purchased the product at a local supermarket in the Val-de-Marne neighborhood, and followed most of the instructions. (Yes, most.) Since she had allergic reactions in the past, she performed the patch test, not realizing it contained the chemical Paraphenylenediamin, aka PPD. Then, instead of waiting the recommended 48 hours, she only waited 30 minutes before applying the dye.

Estelle immediately noticed something was wrong, as her scalp began to tingle and feel irritated. After seeking advice from a pharmacist, she attempted to treat it with  antihistamines, and went to bead. The next morning, she discovered that the swelling had only gotten worse. Her head measured 25 inches (63 cm), much more than the average size of 22 inches (56 cm.) "I could not breathe, I had a light bulb head," Estelle told Le Parisien.

The young woman rushed to the hospital, where she was given a shot of adrenaline and kept overnight. Thankfully, she was able to make a complete recovery, although outlines of the severe swelling are still visible. She admits that she made a "mistake" by not strictly following the instructions on the packet. But who could have foreseen such a nightmarish scenario? "I almost died," Estelle told Le Parisian. "I do not want it to happen to others."

By sharing her story, Estelle hopes to warn others about the hazards of PPD. Many coloring products contain paraphenylenediamin, as it is necessary for dark shades of dye. However, the chemical is the main cause of allergic reactions, so its concentration is strictly limited. Following the directions on each packet is paramount. If you break you rules, you too may suffer the pain of a "light bulb head," or worse. Nobody wants to die over dye.

And PPD in hair dye isn't the only potential danger lurking in the beauty aisle. One 20-year-old woman temporarily lost sight after the salon used nail glue to apply lash extensions. Meanwhile, another 19-year-old woman used a fake Kylie Jenner 'lip kit,' which left her face disfigured and nearly killed her.

All patrons, especially young people, should be more wary of the instructions on beauty products. Or maybe manufacturers should put better warnings on the packaging. Whatever the solution, these are cautionary tales. It's tragic when people use beauty products to improve their mental health, but instead mar their natural beauty, inflicting pain.

A woman who is allergic to exercise has opened up about her condition and how it impacts her daily life.

Maggie Habashy, from Plymouth, Minnesota, has been diagnosed with exercise-induced anaphylaxis - a rare and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction triggered by physical exertion.

Exercise-induced anaphylaxis can lead to symptoms like hives, vomiting, throat swelling, and, in extreme cases, can be fatal.

Exercise-induced anaphylaxis is very rare. Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty

As per Anaphylaxis.org: "Exercise-induced anaphylaxis (pronounced anna-fill-axis) is a type of serious allergic reaction that happens during or after physical activity. It can be brought on by exercise alone, but for most people, it happens when there are other factors involved, such as eating certain foods or taking certain medicines."

While food and environmental allergies are well-known, an allergy to exercise is virtually unheard of, making Habashy's journey both unique and challenging.

Describing her first experience with the symptoms, Habashy told Fox News: “I went out for my first run after I had [my child]; it was a couple of months after, and I just felt really itchy.

"I realized my whole body was covered in hives, and so I was like, okay, this is kind of weird, maybe something environmental. I’m not really sure what. I didn’t actually, like, think about it too much. And then it kept happening. But not only did it keep happening, it kept getting worse.”

As her reactions intensified, Habashy tried different workouts but often had to stop mid-session as her eyes would swell shut, and her skin would break out in hives.

Despite extensive testing with multiple allergists, doctors struggled to identify a food trigger often linked to exercise-induced anaphylaxis.

“Maggie’s case is unique in that there was clearly not a food trigger because she was fasting during the time,” said Dr. Micah Karasov of Advancement in Allergy and Asthma Care Ltd, per Fox News.

“Most people… as long as they don’t eat [certain foods] for, let’s say, 2 to 4 hours before exercise, they’re not going to react.”

During Ramadan last year, when Habashy was fasting, she experienced one of her most severe reactions.

Twenty minutes into a workout, she felt an itchiness in her throat. She quickly called her husband, and they rushed to the emergency room.

“He could see my whole face was swollen up. I couldn’t talk, and the doctor, she asked him, ‘Has this ever happened?’ He said she’s gotten allergic reactions before from working out, but definitely nothing like this,” she recalled.

“He said the doctor looked really scared, and she said, ‘I don’t know what would have happened if she would have waited ten minutes.’”

Those who suffer from allergies should always carry an Epi-pen. Credit: matsou/Getty

When reporters joined Habashy for a recent workout, she had to stop after just 15 minutes.

“Sometimes I make it 15 minutes, sometimes I make it 45. It just kind of depends on the day,” she said. “Some days are more emotional than others. I get frustrated that I can’t finish it, but I just do the best I can and move on.”

Dr. Karasov emphasizes that those with this condition must stay vigilant. “Always, always, always, always, always carry EpiPens and stop exercising if you start having a reaction,” he advised.

“If you stop exercising early enough, the reaction is going to be more likely to stay mild.”

Featured image credit: Spencer Platt/Getty

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There are few things worse than having an allergy. No one wants to spend their time at the store checking labels in case they contain a dreaded ingredient, or having to stay cooped up inside on a beautiful spring day because they don't want to risk setting off their hay fever. It's safe to say that allergies suck, but what's worse are bizarre allergies.

And it turns out that there are many famous faces who've got allergies you'd simply never expect. We're going to give you a lowdown on the celebs you never knew suffered from weird allergies. There are some big names on this list so hopefully, it'll make you feel better about your own allergy if you're unlucky enough to have one! [post_page_title]Cyndi Lauper[/post_page_title] If you walk past any self-respecting club late on a Saturday night, you'll hear this star's music faintly echoing down the street. But what on Earth could she be allergic to? Someone's true colors?! [caption id="attachment_3402" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] This 80's superstar has a bizarre allergy to dust. I can't help but wonder how she found out she was allergic to it! Was she cleaning a spot in her house that hadn't been touched in years? Whatever the reason, there are worse bizarre allergies to have and let's face it: Lauper can afford a cleaner so it's unlikely to be a problem for her. [post_page_title]Kim Kardashian[/post_page_title] Well, one thing for sure, this celeb's certainly not allergic to reality TV crews or expensive clothes. It's hard to imagine Kim K taking an allergic reaction and ending up with a puffy face. She always looks perfect. [caption id="attachment_3403" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] She's probably the number one MILF on reality TV and it was motherhood that revealed Kim's bizarre allergy to her. This famous Kardashian is allergic to talcum powder! However, she's got a supportive partner in Kanye and has said that North's diaper changes are as regular as they should be. North won't be getting a cat any time soon either, as this famous beauty's also allergic to their hair. Oh well, at least North will grow up rich. [post_page_title]Kelly Osbourne[/post_page_title] She's a quirky-looking that celeb that everyone loves, but her allergy is the quirkiest yet to put it lightly. You'll be really shocked by this one. It's not something that anyone could guess... [caption id="attachment_3404" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Miss Osborne's allergy is probably the most bizarre yet: CAT URINE. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, she's allergic to cat urine. I'm assuming she found out after a pet peed on her. Kelly's also vented on Twitter about incessant sneezing so one can only assume that she's allergic to something else too. Here's hoping it's not as bizarre! [post_page_title]Lady Gaga[/post_page_title] This star's allergy has played a massive role in shaping her iconic looks. Whilst I wouldn't wish an allergy on her, we can thank it for helping her build her reputation as a star who isn't afraid to be bold with her appearance. [caption id="attachment_3405" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] There's a reason Mother Monster wears so many wigs. She's allergic to ammonia so she's unable to dye her hair. But hey, it's not an allergy that's held her back in any way. If anything, the wig industry is indebted to her allergy for increasing the popularity of strange-looking wigs that would have otherwise been impossible to sell! [post_page_title]Tina Fey[/post_page_title] I'd no idea that my favorite star in Mean Girls suffered from such a weird allergy. It's a good thing Regina George didn't know about this one. She'd have never heard the end of it when teaching her fictional class! [caption id="attachment_3426" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Aside from suffering from an allergy to pretty much every animal that's got fur, Fey's also allergic to an ingredient in a very specific vegan dish, "carrot cheese balls". She's not sure exactly what it is, but it made her look like she'd just undergone a dodgy lip augmentation procedure after she consumed it. Oh dear. Damn cheese balls. [post_page_title]Halle Berry[/post_page_title] If Catwoman was a cat, she certainly wouldn't be diving into a fishbowl in search of a snack... [caption id="attachment_3406" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Famed for her acting talents, Halle Berry's got an unfortunate allergy to shellfish. What's worse is that it's an allergy that tends to only rear its ugly head later in life. This means that she must have got a nasty surprise at some point. Let's hope it wasn't whilst she was collecting an award for one of her movie appearances! [post_page_title]Miley Cyrus[/post_page_title] She's a celeb that people just love to talk about, especially after she left her Disney past far behind her. But there's no doubt that she wishes she could leave her very dangerous allergy behind her too. [caption id="attachment_3407" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Poor Miley's bizarre allergy is one of the most dangerous on this list as it could potentially be fatal. She's allergic to certain antibiotics. She even had to cancel a concert back in April 2014 after she suffered a particularly bad reaction. I hope it doesn't happen again. We'd all hate for something bad to happen this notoriously talked about star. [post_page_title]Beyoncé[/post_page_title] It must be strange being allergic to something that you have your own line of, but this celeb is... [caption id="attachment_3408" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Shockingly, Beyoncé is allergic to perfume. However, the perfume sold in her name is a type that she can wear. She had it chemically altered specifically! So there are at least eight perfumes in the world that she can wear. I hope Jay Z has never made the faux pas of buying her a brand that she's unable to wear! [post_page_title]Britney Spears[/post_page_title] Her infamous 2007 meltdown makes all the more sense when you realize that she was also suffering from this bizarre allergy too on top of all the drama in her personal life... [caption id="attachment_3409" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Our beloved Britney is allergic to bee stings of all things. Who knows? Maybe she'd been stung the day she decided to shave her head and beat up that car with an umbrella. In the almost immortal words of Chris Crocker, the bees need to leave Britney alone! I wonder if he has a bizarre allergy too... [post_page_title]Ariana Grande[/post_page_title] Next to Kelly Osborne's allergy to cat urine, it'd say this is the weirdest on this list so far. It's unfortunate too... [caption id="attachment_3410" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] What could this beauty be allergic to? Well, it's not a success, it's bananas of all things! She admitted it was weird herself when she revealed her allergy on Twitter in 2011, writing, "I just discovered that I'm allergic to bananas. How bizarre is that?" But it's not just bananas that she needs to avoid. She's allergic to shellfish and cats too. [post_page_title]Jessica Simpson[/post_page_title] There are certain foods that most people love. There's one in particular that always goes down a storm. It's round and it's usually covered in cheese and a number of delicious toppings. Can you guess what this star's allergic to? [caption id="attachment_3411" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] She's allergic to pizza! A bizarre allergy that is made ironic by the fact that she stars in commercials for Pizza Hut. A source close to Simpson said in an interview that the star had "internal bleeding" and "after she was still feeling not quite right, an allergist delivered news that would chill the heart of anyone reared on Texan cuisine: She’s allergic to cheese. And wheat. Oh, and tomatoes…" Oh dear. Now that really is unfortunate! [post_page_title]Amy Adams[/post_page_title] This celeb's allergic to another thing that women tend to receive a lot as presents. We can only hope her husband didn't accidentally buy her what she's allergic to when they first started dating... [caption id="attachment_3412" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] One of America's best-loved actresses is allergic to certain types of flowers. Now that really is unfortunate, especially as it's not public knowledge what kind of flower she's allergic to. So if you're hoping to meet her at some point, like on the red carpet she so often graces, it's probably best to just bring a picture for her to sign. [post_page_title]Diane Kruger[/post_page_title] One of this celeb's allergies led to her having a disastrous first date. But the relationship went on to last an impressive ten years so it couldn't have been too much of an issue... [caption id="attachment_3413" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Kruger's got a very bad pollen allergy, so she wasn't happy when she went back to Joshua Jackson's house after their first date and it was full of flowers. "It was overgrown with beautiful flowers, to which I had a huge allergic reaction—like really, really bad," she said. "I was sneezing and coughing and my eyes were watery." Okay, I hear you, pollen isn't that weird. She's also allergic to candle wax, but needless to say, that doesn't affect her much. [post_page_title]Selena Gomez[/post_page_title] She got a common allergy which I too suffer from - hay fever, but she's also got another that's certainly unusual... [caption id="attachment_3414" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] It's one thing to have hay fever, it's another to be allergic to freshly-cut grass too. This means that she's sneezing constantly in the earlier months of the year, but it's nothing something that bothers the star at all. In fact, she says it's fun. Maybe she's counting how many times she sneezes in an hour? Whatever, Selena. Each to their own. [post_page_title]Zooey Deschanel[/post_page_title] We've come to love Zooey through her performances as a quirky character over the year. Whether it was as the impossible to obtain girl in 500 Days Of Summer, the cool older sister in Almost Famous, or Jess in New Girl. But we had no idea that her diet was severely limited by her bizarre allergies! [caption id="attachment_3415" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Poor Zooey is allergic to so many food products that she's unable to eat dairy, eggs or gluten. “I am the worst person to ever eat with because I have all these stupid food allergies,” she said. “It wasn’t that many things, it was just all the things that are fun to eat — everything that I enjoy, like bread. ‘Awwwww, this is the worst thing!’ It was shitty.” [post_page_title]Sabrina Soto[/post_page_title] This celeb's known for being an interior designer, and she's also a top realtor, but her bizarre allergy is one which could potentially get in the way of her career. Her job's probably the reason she knows about it... [caption id="attachment_3416" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Like Cyndi Lauper, Soto is allergic to dust. I imagine this allergy affects her more than it does Lauper as she designs rooms for a living. So a dusty room in need of renovation could potentially be a problem for her. We can only hope that it's never got in the way of her career. I guess she could always hire a cleaner before star work! [post_page_title]Jill McGill[/post_page_title] Of all the bizarre allergies on this list, this celeb has hands down got the most inconvenient one. It must be a nightmare being allergic to something so closely connected to what you're famous for! [caption id="attachment_3417" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Imagine being a pro golfer and being allergic to grass. Total bummer. When she was younger, a doctor even advised her against pursuing her golfing ambitions, "I think you might want to pick a different profession," she was told. Thankfully she didn't. She now takes preemptive medication so it doesn't get in the way of her performance. [post_page_title]Misty May[/post_page_title] We can laugh at some of the odder allergies on this list, like Britney's allergy to bee stings, because they probably don't affect the celeb's lives too much. But this celeb's allergy really did affect her career back in 2008... [caption id="attachment_3418" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] The Olympic athlete said of her nasal allergies, which were a huge problem for her during the 2008 Olympic games thanks to Beijing's air pollution, "It started with the smog. It was hard to breathe." She added, "Too often people just say: ‘It’s just sneezing and itchy eyes, I can handle it,’” she says. “But I’ve had sneezing attacks where it’s 20 sneezes in a row and your eyes feel all itchy. It gets in the way." [post_page_title]Ray Romano[/post_page_title] This celeb's allergy is one of the most dangerous on the list, so much so that it could result in potentially fatal anaphylactic shock. So if you ever see someone in a store painstakingly checking labels, try to understand where they're coming from as they might have an allergy as severe as this man's... [caption id="attachment_3419" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Just like poor Miley Cyrus, Romano's allergy is also potentially life-threatening. When it became known in 2011, it was because he had to be taken to hospital whilst attending a charity event after consuming something that contained peanut. Whilst peanut allergies are fairly common, what makes Romano's bizarre is the severity of it. [post_page_title]Eva Longoria[/post_page_title] Another star who suffers from an allergy that would annoy all women and that's putting it lightly... [caption id="attachment_3420" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Just like Queen Bee, Longoria is also allergic to perfume. She said, "I've been allergic my entire life. If someone were wearing perfume next to me, I would sneeze and sneeze and sneeze." So, like Beyonce, she developed her own perfume that she could wear. Smart thinking from two very successful ladies! [post_page_title]Joshua Jackson[/post_page_title] The two men on this list both suffer from a life-threatening bizarre allergy that would make anyone hate what most people regard as a delicious snack. Let's just hope it doesn't affect this actor's life too much... [caption id="attachment_3421" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Jackson just like Romano also suffers from a severe peanut allergy. By total coincidence, it also became known to the public in 2011, when he suffered a severe allergic reaction that led to him being hospitalized. Whilst reactions such as this are awful, the only upside for these men is that they are easily treatable at the hospital if they get there on time. [post_page_title]Kelly Clarkson[/post_page_title] She's the singer everyone turns to when they've just suffered a bad break up. But this empowering artist's life has been plagued by allergies. She's one of the stars on this list who you'll genuinely feel bad for! [caption id="attachment_3422" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Clarkson's not necessary got a bizarre allergy per se, but it's the sheer number of things that she's allergic to that's unusual. Unfortunately, she's someone who has trouble when it comes to ingredient lists as peanuts are one of her many allergies. She tried to compile a list of everything she's allergic to back in 2013. This meant Clarkson had to undergo no less than 54 prick tests. Her arms probably still haven't recovered from all that prodding! [post_page_title]Kate Middleton[/post_page_title] The British Royal Family might have had countless noble steeds over the years, but the future Queen consort, unfortunately, has a big problem with them. [caption id="attachment_3423" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Yes, Kate Middleton is allergic to horses. While animal allergies aren't bizarre in and of themselves, the fact that she's such a senior member of the Royal Family and unable to ride horses is. [post_page_title]Tiger Woods[/post_page_title] Another celeb with an allergy which could really get in the way of his day-to-day life is Tiger Woods, who is allergic to something which is found on many a golf course... [caption id="attachment_3424" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] Pollen! Again, while this allergy isn't unusual in and of itself, just like Kate Middleton's horse allergy, it's certainly unexpected from one of the most famous golfers in the world. [post_page_title]Jeremy Clarkson[/post_page_title] Clearly, Mother Nature has a wicked sense of humor, another celebrity who has a very inconvenient and quite frankly bizarre allergy is Jeremy Clarkson. [caption id="attachment_3425" align="aligncenter" width="760"] Credit: PA Images[/caption] The star of popular British TV show Top Gear is actually allergic to nickel. Taking how common an everyday substance it is out of the equation, this is ridiculously inconvenient.

A UK woman who is effectively allergic to daylight has opened up about the heartbreaking toll her rare condition has taken on her.

Sonal Keay, a criminal barrister and businesswoman, lives with Chronic Actinic Dermatitis, a type of eczema or dermatitis that is "caused by abnormal skin sensitivity to sunlight," per BAD.

What might feel like a mild sunburn for others can quickly become excruciating pain for her.

"I suffered a really severe and painful reaction, and it just didn't clear up at all," she said on This Morning. "Every single time I was outside, every day, I was in a lot of pain and discomfort. I did learn that covering up seemed to help, but I had no idea what was wrong."

Condition Turned Everyday Life Upside Down

Sonal first noticed something was wrong as a teenager after suffering severe flare-ups during holidays abroad. At the time, she couldn’t understand what was triggering the reactions.

She later realized there was a "correlation with sunny days," but struggled to accept the reality of her condition.

She said she "just couldn't understand even the mere the possibility of being allergic to daylight," describing it as "the source of all life".

At 18, she was finally diagnosed, but the adjustment proved overwhelming. "With that diagnosis, I thought, 'What am I going to do with my life? Is my life over?'" she said. "Whilst I might look 'normal', so to speak, it's not the case, I don't have a normal life."

She said that she now has to take constant precautions if she's stepping outside. "I have to apply suncream as automatically as we would pick up our keys or put on our shoes before we leave the house."

She revealed that even on cloudy days, she can react after being outside for "about a minute," describing the aftermath as "days of suffering" and feeling "so uncomfortable in my own skin."

"It was literally a very dark period of my life. I've just really had to obsessively manage my own skin ever since," she added.

Others Share Similar Struggles With Sunlight Sensitivity

Sonal’s experience reflects the challenges faced by others living with extreme photosensitivity, such as Craig Leppert, who has a rare genetic condition called erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP).

For Leppert, sunlight causes immediate and severe pain. "Take the throbbing, hurting feeling of being cut with a knife and getting burned on a stove, those mixed together is what it feels like after 15 minutes in the sun," he told PEOPLE.

He revealed that growing up, short exposure to the sun left him in agony. "I started screaming bloody murder," he recalled after playing outside as a toddler. "The next day, my hands looked like little boxing gloves."

He was forced to avoid outdoor activities entirely, missing out on school events, vacations, and even simple time in the sun. "My basement became like a second home in the summer," he said. "Our family became night people."

On one occasion, forgetting protective gloves during a trip left him in such discomfort that he ran straight into the shower fully clothed to cool his hands. "I didn't even take off my clothes," he said.

Finding Ways To Cope and Move Forward

Despite the limitations, Leppert has worked to turn his experience into something positive.

In 2017, he launched Shadow Jumpers, a volunteer-run nonprofit for kids and families living with similar conditions.

"My condition made me aware of how different I was," he said. "But I think it also made me more empathetic. I realized that some people have it even harder. It made me a better person."

Featured image credit: Peter Cade / Getty