Mum says doctor dismissed rare condition that left her 'burning alive' as just a pregnancy side effect

Warning: This article contains discussion of suicidal thoughts which some readers may find distressing.

A mum from Devon who is suffering from a rare and painful condition had her concerns dismissed as a pregnancy side effect by doctors.

Rachel Bradford, 30, who lives in Torbay, Devon, was 24 weeks pregnant in March 2024 when she first developed an 'extraordinarily itchy' rash which soon saw red blotches cover most of her body.

She raised concerns with doctors but was told that it her struggles were most likely related to her pregnancy, and she could do nothing but watch as just two weeks later, the red blotches darkened, turning 'burning red' or even black in some places, to the extent where Rachel felt she resembled a dead person.

Despite other painful symptoms including spasms and a lack of mobility, Rachel was sent continuously sent away and eventually delivered her baby Michael through an emergency C-section, as she was no longer able to open her legs.

Rachel and her husband Jack (PA)

Her husband Jack said: “We were still being told it could go after pregnancy, it was just sort of brushed off.

“There’s always a part of Rachel’s body which is constantly on fire and it doesn’t go away. She can’t escape it, from the moment she opens her eyes, it’s the first thing she feels.

“There was a point where Rachel would be sleeping with her nails in her shoulders, digging in so she didn’t scratch herself."

Sadly, Rachel's symptoms persisted after she gave birth to her son and in February of this year, she was diagnosed with erythromelalgia, which is also known as 'burning man' syndrome.

“It feels like I’m burning alive, like my body is constantly on fire,” Rachel told PA Real Life.

“This condition has taken everything away from me, pregnancy and motherhood, my job, my mobility, my independence – I can’t even play with my son.”

The horrible condition causes burning pain, redness and hot skin and left the 30-year-old feeling suicidal during her pregnancy.

Rachel's condition only got worse as the pregnancy continued (PA)

Rachel added: “Mentally, I was not right, I was suicidal.

“I was praying the pain would stop – I couldn’t take it anymore and I felt no one was listening to me, no one was taking me seriously.”

Further visits to the Royal Devon hospital saw them wait for hours before being turned away, with one staff member suggesting that there was nothing they could do except advising Rachel to 'put some socks on.'

Heartbreakingly, she cannot even let her now one-year-old son sit on her lap for more than five minutes as it causes her thighs to 'flare up.'

Jack said: “Rachel is an amazing mum and to see her completely limited by something outside of her control, it’s absolutely horrendous.”

A Royal Devon spokesperson said: “We are dedicated to providing safe, high-quality care to our patients with compassion and we’re very sorry to hear that Mrs Bradford’s experience of care did not meet these standards.

“We would encourage Mrs Bradford to raise her concerns through our complaints process so we can fully investigate and respond.”

A GoFundMe has now been set up to support the family, as they hope to visit Italy to undergo a non-invasive treatment helping patients with chronic pain, with the aim of relieving Rachel's terrible symptoms.

You can donate to the page here.