When fitness instructor Brittany Mickens, 31, from Fredericksburg, Virginia, was born, she was rushed to a nearby children's hospital because doctors didn't know what was wrong with her skin, and her family was told she wouldn't live past the age of one.
As Brittany grew up, her skin grew thick, dry and scaly, but doctors dismissed this as an extreme case of eczema, prescribing her strong creams to treat her skin, which would only work for a few weeks at a time before her skin reverted to the condition it was in before.
'I was misdiagnosed as a child and was told that I had really bad eczema,' Brittany explained.
When I was first born I was rushed to a nearby children's hospital in Washington, D.C. because they didn't know what was wrong with me, and eventually was told I wouldn't live past a year.'
Growing up, people would stare at Brittany and notice that her skin appeared different to theirs.
'I would get a few stares, but it was rare that anyone would say anything to me about my skin. I didn't feel any different, but I knew I was different.'
But thanks to her mother, Wanda, who instilled a strong sense of self-love in her by getting her to repeat positive affirmations in the mirror, Brittany has learned to love herself for who she is.
'My mother made sure that I accepted myself and I was proud to be who I was,' she said.
'She would often make me look in the mirror and repeat, "I love you, you are beautiful," over and over again. And one day I finally realized what she was doing, and I am so grateful for her making me do that.
'She was extremely important, if it weren't for her constantly instilling positive affirmations in me, I wouldn't be as confident as I am. She never let me dwell on the fact that I was different.'
It wasn't until Brittany started university at age 18 and went to a new dermatologist that she was diagnosed with ichthyosis, a condition that causes widespread and persistent thick, dry, 'fish scale' skin.
According to Mayo Clinic, the condition is caused by a genetic mutation that has been inherited from one or both parents.
A permanent cure has not yet been found for the skin condition, and the available treatments focus solely on controlling it.
However, the diagnosis allowed Brittany to finally understand why prescribed creams and medicines never worked on her skin before.
After visiting the dermatologist eight times a year for 25 years, Brittany was fed up of putting chemicals on her skin for them to work and then eventually stop working.
Therefore, she has opted for a natural approach to her skin care, which involves using natural shea butter with essential oils, gold bond ultimate radiance renewal and cocoa butter Vaseline after a shower.
She also began using Jamaican black castor oil on her skin at night.
'When I went to college and found a new dermatologist, that's when I found out that I had ichthyosis. Because I had the wrong diagnosis all of the medicines that were prescribed to me only worked for a few weeks,' she explained.
Brittany said that growing up with the condition was tough, but her mother, Wanda, helped build her up by regularly reminding her that she looked beautiful.
'I sometimes get stared at and asked different questions, but I don't let it consume my day. Most of the time I forget that I have ichthyosis,' she said.
There are at least 20 different types of ichthyosis and there is no cure for any of the variations of the condition.
However, moisturizing and exfoliating the skin on a daily basis can help prevent dryness, scaling and build-up of skin cells.
Brittany makes sure she keeps her skin well moisturized at all times to prevent it from becoming painful, and she has to be especially careful in the winter as the cold weather can make her skin worse.
She explained how her family have always supported her and are proud of her embracing her difference.
'My family and friends love it and have always encouraged me to be the best version of myself,' Brittany said. 'My tribe is always uplifting me and have told me that they admire me and my strength.
'I absolutely love me some me. I am grateful to be me. The way I feel about myself keeps my attitude positive and want to inspire others.
'To others, I would say always love yourself and you were chosen to deal with this for a reason; it's all in how you deal with it. Perspective is key, always remain positive and it's best to work on your heart first.
'The journey is not always easy, but you're here, so do it with a smile,' she added.
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