Woman, 20, claims doctors misdiagnosed her itchy skin as scabies but it was cancer

A make-up artist has revealed that itchy skin she thought was caused by changing her washing powder was actually cancer.  

April Grierson, 20, from Liverpool, had chronic itching in June last year, which she put down to her washing powder.

But she grew concerned after swapping brands and noticing no difference in her symptoms.

She even sent her dog away for two weeks, just in case she was allergic. 

But after no changes, she went to her GP at first who believed she had scabies.

After several telephone consultations with a GP, April says she was given creams and tablets to treat scabies.

Yet months  later a lump appeared on her neck, so doctors referred her to hospital, only to find out she had cancer.

Make-up artist April Grierson, 20, from Belle Vale, Liverpool, had chronic itching in June last year, and her GP at first believed it to be scabies – but later found out it was a blood cancer

It was months later when a lump appeared on her neck, so doctors referred her to hospital, only to find the itching was a symptom of Hodgkin's lymphoma

It was months later when a lump appeared on her neck, so doctors referred her to hospital, only to find the itching was a symptom of Hodgkin’s lymphoma

April at first believed the itching skin might be down to her washing powder - but grew concerned after swapping brands and noticing no difference in her symptoms

April at first believed the itching skin might be down to her washing powder – but grew concerned after swapping brands and noticing no difference in her symptoms

In November 2021, April was diagnosed with blood cancer Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

The make-up artist decided to break down her diagnosis timeline in a video on TikTok, which has now racked up over 5.1million views and 553,600 likes.  

‘I had this sense that something was wrong,’ April said.

‘I’d even told my mum I thought I had cancer but she put that down to me feeling so anxious.

‘Turns out I was right and I’m so glad I kept going back to the doctors.

‘I knew my own body.’  

WHAT IS HODGKIN’S LYMPHOMA?

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a type of cancer that starts in the white blood cells.

It affects around 1,950 people each year in the UK.  

A common early symptom is having a painless swelling in the armpits, neck and groin.

Some people also experience heavy night sweating, extreme weight loss, itching, shortness of breath and coughing.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is most common between the ages of 20 and 24, and 75 and 79.

It has been linked to people with lowered immunity, a family history of the condition, smokers and those who are overweight.

Treatment may include chemotherapy, radiotherapy, steroids and stem cell or bone marrow transplants.

Source: Cancer Research UK 

‘At first I was trying to work out what I was allergic to.

‘My skin itched day and night from my head to my feet. I was tearing at my skin.

‘I couldn’t sleep and I was making myself bleed, I was red raw.’

After several telephone consultations with a GP, April says she was given creams and tablets to treat scabies.

She said: ‘I knew it couldn’t be scabies as it’s highly contagious and my boyfriend hadn’t caught it.

‘I couldn’t get a face-to-face appointment because of Covid so I kept sending more pictures but the doctors said I had no rash or distinctive skin marks for them to make a diagnosis.

‘In October I found a lump in my neck that grew quickly.

‘Within three weeks I had an appointment at a specialist head and neck centre.

‘I was diagnosed with cancer that day after blood tests, CT scans and a biopsy showed I had blood cancer and it was a tumour on my neck.’

April’s boyfriend at the time, now fiancé, Sean O’Flaherty, 23, had been waiting in the car during April’s four-hour appointment but was allowed inside when she was told the news.

April said: ‘I knew as soon as Sean was allowed in [that] it was cancer.

‘I was so scared and just cried and cried.

‘I couldn’t believe I had to drive home and tell my parents I had cancer. I was devastated.’

Further tests revealed April has Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Now she faces six months of two-weekly chemotherapy cycles to kill the cancer that has spread from a lymph node in her neck to her chest and around her windpipe.

April, pictured with her fiancé Sean O'Flaherty, 23, documented her diagnosis timeline in a TikTok video

The 20-year-old was then diagnosed with Hodgkin's in November, just a month after noticing a lump

April, pictured with her fiancé Sean O’Flaherty, 23, documented her diagnosis timeline in a TikTok video, first noticing a lump on her neck in October 2021 and just a month later, was diagnosed

The Liverpudlian begun her chemotherapy treatment to fight the cancer earlier this month

The Liverpudlian begun her chemotherapy treatment to fight the cancer earlier this month

She was diagnosed with cancer the same day she had an appointment with a specialist at a head and neck centre, and after blood tests, CT scans and a biopsy, doctors revealed that she had blood cancer

She was diagnosed with cancer the same day she had an appointment with a specialist at a head and neck centre, and after blood tests, CT scans and a biopsy, doctors revealed that she had blood cancer

April has stage two Hodgkin's lymphoma, and now she faces six months of two-weekly chemotherapy cycles to kill the cancer that has spread from a lymph node in her neck to her chest and around her windpipe

April has stage two Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and now she faces six months of two-weekly chemotherapy cycles to kill the cancer that has spread from a lymph node in her neck to her chest and around her windpipe

To make matters worse, April suffered a second tragedy when – before starting chemo – she underwent egg retrieval in case her future fertility was affected and suffered complications.

The fertility drugs used caused ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which made her ovaries swell and leak fluid into her body.

April was in hospital for two weeks with fluid on her lungs, and doctors were luckily able to retrieve seven eggs and four embryos.

She recently took to TikTok to share her story in the hopes that it will help others and encourage them to trust their instincts.

April added: ‘I’m raising awareness for everything I’m going through because I want people to know they know their body best.

April's fiancé, Sean O'Flaherty, 23, had been waiting in the car during April's four-hour appointment but was allowed inside when she was told the news

April’s fiancé, Sean O’Flaherty, 23, had been waiting in the car during April’s four-hour appointment but was allowed inside when she was told the news

To make matters worse, April suffered a second tragedy when – before starting chemo – she underwent egg retrieval in case her future fertility was affected and suffered complications

To make matters worse, April suffered a second tragedy when – before starting chemo – she underwent egg retrieval in case her future fertility was affected and suffered complications

The fertility drugs used caused ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which made her ovaries swell and leak fluid into her body - and she was subsequently in hospital for two weeks with fluid on her lungs. Doctors were luckily able to retrieve seven eggs and four embryos

The fertility drugs used caused ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which made her ovaries swell and leak fluid into her body – and she was subsequently in hospital for two weeks with fluid on her lungs. Doctors were luckily able to retrieve seven eggs and four embryos

‘If my story helps one person to push for an appointment and listen to their body then I’ll be glad.’

The clip racked up more than 560,000 likes and was viewed five million times.

One user said: ‘So proud of you! Keep fighting angel x.’

‘Strong woman,’ another person commented.

Someone else added: ‘What you’re going through must be one of the scariest times in your life, thank you for sharing this. I want to follow so I can watch you beat this.’

‘I wish all the best in your life you deserve it. Stay strong,’ said another fan.

Another follower insisted: ‘You’re gonna get through this!!!’

User Kalybaly kindly wrote towards both April and her fiancé: ‘I just said a prayer for you and your partner. Thanks for being so brave and positive.’

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