Seven years ago, aged 60, I took an overdue beach resort holiday. I was dismayed to find that walking on the sandy beach bare-footed was no longer an attractive proposition due to extreme sensitivity of the skin on the soles of my feet.

I consulted my GP only to be told that the condition was due to 'annee domini' and just to get used to it!

Seven years later and my life style has changed considerably due to the skin thinning on my fingers and palms; *** and penis; elbows; forehead and nose. Most upsetting now is the skin lining my mouth is so thin and fragile that I am reduced to eating moist soft food and teeth damage to the skin means I am rarely free of mouth ulcers. 

I re-presented myself to my GP a month ago. I put my case for a need of a diagnosis and prognosis as within another couple of years I would be unable to either walk or eat and need to plan my accomodation and lifestyle accordingly. Although he confessed that my condition was a 'bit of a mystery', he agreed to arrange for me to see a dermatologist in two weeks....I can't wait!

Ian Walker