Nobody could help MY BURNING SKIN

When Gemma Dodd, 47, woke up covered in welts, she had no idea what was happening to her

- ASHLEIGH PAGE

Taking in the beautiful bustling streets, I grinned. It was May 2021 and I’d just landed in Morocco for my best friend’s wedding. After months of intense work stress, I was excited to be able to kick back and enjoy the week of celebrations ahead.

The flight had taken it out of me so, after a quick hello to the bride and other guests, I was happy to be able to climb into bed. But, in the middle of the night, I woke to my skin burning all over. It felt like it was on fire. Flicking the bedside lamp on, I looked at my arms and legs. Huge welts covered them, red and angry. It looked like I’d been whipped.

I grabbed some ice from the hotel’s machine and tried to cool the burning and soothe the rash. I remembered that my legs had been itching mildly since before the flight. Knowing that the welts weren’t a reaction from anything in Morocco I was slightly put at ease, but I was still anxious about what was happening. I also felt like I had flu symptoms, which I couldn’t explain.

When Gemma’s welts were at their worst

Next morning I took an antihistamine which helped to clear my skin but as the week went on, I was woken each morning with the same burning sensation. Ice and an antihistamine were the only things that would calm it and make the pain bearable.