Meet the six-year-old girl who sheds her entire skin every day due to a rare condition that makes it grow faster than normal.
Hanna Barrott, from Ooltewah in Tennessee, has lamellar ichthyosis – a genetic skin disorder that makes the skin cells rapidly generate and shed, leaving trails across her home.
To prevent cracking, bleeding and getting potentially deadly infections, she has lotion rubbed onto her body twice a day.
Her parents monitor her closely to ensure she doesn’t overheat because her sweat glands are blocked by skin which can cause her to faint.
Hannah can only wear 100 per cent cotton clothing to protect her skin, while her mother Megan and father Tyson, 30, have to vacuum the house each day.
In public, Hanna defies strangers’ stares and cruel taunts by politely explaining her condition to them.
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Hanna Barrott, from Ooltewah in Tennessee, has lamellar ichthyosis – a genetic skin disorder that makes the skin cells rapidly generate and shed
Mrs Barrott, 26, said: ‘Hanna’s condition means her skin grows a lot quicker than other children and she struggles in the heat because she can’t sweat.
‘If she doesn’t have lotion her skin will dry out, crack, bleed and then those areas can get dangerous infections too.
‘If we don’t keep her body protected it can be life-threatening for her because the skin is the largest organ of the body.’
She added: ‘But the biggest struggle for her is overheating, we have to monitor her whenever she is outside and be prepared.
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‘We have encountered obstacles, once a kid tried to spit and kick her and sometimes she’s not included in things because she looks different.
‘I’ve had people say, “someone’s been out in the sun too long” but I quickly let them know she has a genetic disorder that makes her skin grow faster than ours.
‘It’s our job to raise awareness and educate people, I give her the choice whether she explains or I do.’
After Hanna was born, she was monitored closely and required breathing assistance because dead skin was blocking her airways.
To prevent cracking, bleeding and getting potentially deadly infections, she has lotion rubbed onto her body twice a day
She was eventually diagnosed with the condition after doctors noticed a thick white layer of skin called collodion membrane.
Her skin was to tight from this layer, meaning her chest couldn’t expand for her to breathe and she also struggled through her nose.
After coming home ten days later, the family learned to adapt around her condition, from her cleaning and moisturising routines to materials that help aid her skin.
They maintain the biggest challenge their daughter faces is trying to avoid overheating due to her sweat glands being blocked by extra skin.
Not being able to perspire causes her skin to dry out even more and other problems.
Just twenty minutes of regular play in weather above 23 °C (75 degrees Fahrenheit) can cause her to overheat.
Mrs Barrott, married to Tyson, 30, said: ‘If it happens, she becomes sluggish, it completely depletes her energy and she can collapse.
Hannah can only wear 100 per cent cotton clothing to protect her skin, while her parents have to vacuum the house each day to pick up her dry skin
Despite making many friends at school, Hanna hears cruel comments from strangers and is stared at for looking ‘different’ (pictured: her feet as a result of the condition)
‘Also, if she has a fever she needs medicine around the clock, because she cannot sweat off a fever, causing it to escalate quickly.’
Despite making many friends at school, Hanna hears cruel comments from strangers and is stared at for looking ‘different’.
In a bid to combat this and raise awareness, the mother-of-three has taught her to approach people and explain her condition.
WHAT IS THIS CONDITION?
Lamellar ichthyosis is a very rare skin condition that is characterised by abnormal scaling and shedding of the skin.
It is believed to occur in one in every 600,000 people and symptoms usually appear within the first few days of life.
Sufferers tend to have plate-like scales of skin which often appear brownish in colour.
The condition is caused by genetic abnormalities that affect the shedding of skin.
Mrs Barrott, a brand representative, said: ‘Rather than shying away and letting their stares hurt her feelings or make her uncomfortable, I encourage Hanna to talk to people about Ichthyosis.
‘She tells them, “I have ichthyosis, which makes my skin grow super-fast” and other short, simple answers.
‘A lot of people don’t know how to ask about her condition or their questions come out the wrong way, so we just act graciously and as kind as we can, even though sometimes it’s hard.’
After understanding the condition better, people are less judgemental, Mrs Barrott added.
She added: ‘They smile and say, “wow, she’s beautiful” or after she has explained her condition to them they tell her that they found it very interesting.
‘We have taught Hanna that everyone is given challenges and that we are all different, whether that’s on the inside or outside, so she is not embarrassed by being different.
‘Hanna is just like any typical child, she’s happy, excitable, she wants to try everything, loves sports, musical instruments and dances too.’
Her mother Megan Barrott, 26, said: ‘Hanna’s condition means her skin grows a lot quicker than other children and she struggles in the heat because she can’t sweat’
After Hanna was born, she was monitored and required breathing assistance because dead skin was blocking her airways (pictured with parents Megan, 26, and Tyson, 30, in hospital)