A toddler went through a horrible struggle due to what physicians mistook for eczema or allergies.
Sienna Duffield, three, first had painful and contagious blisters and itchy skin in October 2015. Because she had stopped eating, she was brought to the hospital and given an IV drip.
“Sienna’s skin infection was eating her alive,” her mother, Savina French-Bell, 21, said. “It came out of nowhere when she developed ulcers in her mouth on her second birthday.” She stopped eating, and for the next eight months, every day was a nightmare. I was afraid to take her outside because her clothing was continuously stained with blood.”
Sienna’s ailment wasn’t appropriately recognized as herpes until earlier this year after a slew of medications and eczema creams had been provided.
“No antibiotics worked for eight months since the infection kept coming back and her face was being devastated,” Savina explained. “I was informed she might be allergic to something, so I kept her away from dogs and made sure she didn’t eat any dairy.”
The severe infection was triggered, according to her mother, by an interaction with a family member in October 2015.
“Last year, she kissed a family member, which caused the virus,” Savina explained. “Everyone in the family was in a state of upheaval.”
According to the World Health Organization, 3.7 billion persons under the age of 50 are infected with Herpes Simpex type 1. The virus is very contagious and incurable at the moment.
As Sienna’s condition worsened, Savina had to wash her bed linens every day and continually throw out clothes due to daily bloodstains from her sores.
Sienna’s fragile skin was covered in bloodstains and pus from the painful blisters, which were incredibly uncomfortable.
The young mother is now sharing their tale in order to assist other parents who are dealing with the same issue.
“It looked like someone threw poison on her face; it went from her mouth to her cheeks and above her eyes,” Savina explained. “People would stare at us, children would gaze, and adults would make snide remarks.
After doctors assumed Sienna had a serious case of dermatitis, she was eventually given flucloxacillin antibiotics, which worked.
“Because her body was so fragile, her face took so long to recover,” Savina says.
Savina now claims that her daughter’s face has never looked so clear, and she hopes that the infection will not reappear.
The herpes virus goes through latent stages in which it is inactive for indefinite lengths of time before reactivating at any time.
“Sienna’s face has looked fantastic for the past few months, and the illness hasn’t reappeared,” Savina remarked. “There’s always the possibility that it will return, but fingers crossed that it won’t and her skin will remain as good as it is today.” It’s wonderful to be able to go outside without receiving any negative feedback.”