Carpenter's condition causes ulcers on his face, chest and arms

Carpenter says he looks like a ZOMBIE because of a rare condition that causes pus-filled ulcers on his face, chest and arms

• Steve Young, of Devon, was diagnosed with pyoderma gangrenosum in August
• The carpenter has since had to give up his job because of the ulcers on his body
• The 32-year-old claims that he spends half-an-hour every day dressing his ulcers

A man has said he looks like a zombie because of a rare condition that causes ulcers to crop up on his face, chest and arms.

Steve Young was diagnosed with pyoderma gangrenosum in August, after 18 months of searching for an answer to his pus-filled boils.

The carpenter has since had to give up his job, and is now too frightened to leave his house over fears strangers will stare at him.

Mr Young, from Honiton in Devon, has attempted suicide twice because of the condition, thought to strike just one in 100,000 people.

He claims to spend almost half-an-hour every day dressing his ulcers, which can prove fatal if left untreated.

Steve Young was diagnosed with pyoderma gangrenosum in August. The carpenter has since had to give up his job, and is now too frightened to leave his house over fears strangers will stare at him (pictured before his ordeal, left, and with an ulcer on his face, right)

Mr Young, from Honiton in Devon, has attempted suicide twice because of the condition, thought to strike just one in 100,000 people

Speaking about how the condition has changed him, Mr Young said: ‘It’s completely ruined my life, I feel like a prisoner in my own home.

‘I’ve said to myself that I look like a zombie. I don’t go out now, the weather is too cold and I can’t chance it due to the risk of developing an infection.

‘It’s the worst pain I’ve ever felt in my life. The only way to describe it is that it’s like someone sticking in knives at various points across your body continuously.’

Mr Young, who admitted he has been robbed of his independence because he needs help washing and dressing, added: ‘If I go out people will just stare at me.

‘Some people will come up and ask me “what’s wrong” but most just stare. I’m just trying to keep myself in a bubble and focus on getting better.’

Mr Young started to get sores on his face in December 2017. His GP prescribed several types of antibiotics – but more ulcers kept appearing.

He claims to spend almost half-an-hour every day dressing his ulcers, which can prove fatal if left untreated

Four skin biopsies failed to find what was causing Mr Young’s agonising ulcers (pictured), which were getting bigger and gradually becoming more painful

Mr Young said the ulcers (pictured) on his face draw shocked expressions from strangers who walk past him and that he feels embarrassed by his condition

He was referred to see a dermatologist in 2018, who allegedly told him that they had ‘never seen anything as aggressive before’.

Four skin biopsies failed to find what was causing Mr Young’s agonising ulcers, which were getting bigger and gradually becoming more painful.

Mr Young, who was only diagnosed two months ago, said: ‘For 18 months, I had no idea what was going on. I was tested for all sorts of things.

He claims the medication used to treat his ulcers have weakened his immune system and left him vulnerable to catching infections.

Mr Young said the ulcers on his face draw shocked expressions from strangers who walk past him and that he feels embarrassed by his condition.

Now, he is trying to raise money on GoFundMe to seek private treatment in the US for the condition.

He said: ‘I’ve tried all sorts of medication and nothing seems to work. I’ve been on steroids for 18 months and I’ve put three-and-a-half stone.

‘All I want is to live a normal life and to get back to work. For the condition to go away would be the world’s best Christmas present. It would be a breath of fresh air.’

You can donate to Mr Young’s appeal here.

WHAT IS PYODERMA GANGRENOSUM? 

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare skin condition that causes painful ulcers. Estimates suggest it strikes around one in 100,000 people. 

It is usually treatable but may take some time to heal and may leave some scarring. It often starts as a small pimple, red bump or blood blister.

The skin then breaks down into a painful ulcer with a purple or blue edge, which may ooze fluid. 

The ulcer can rapidly get bigger and deeper, and several may develop in the area. If the ulcer gets infected, it can cause fever.

It usually affects the legs, although it can affect any area of skin, including around the head and neck, arms and genitals. It can be fatal, if untreated.

Pyoderma gangrenosum is seen in men and women of any age, but usually affects young and middle-aged adults.

People with conditions including inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, blood dyscrasia, hepatitis and cancer affecting the blood cells, are at increased risk of developing it.

The exact cause of pyoderma gangrenosum is not understood, but it’s thought to be a reaction to a disease or illness.  

Source: NHS Choices 

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