WHEN a kiss with someone suffering from tonsilitis triggered an incurable skin condition, Aimee Godden turned to social media for support.

Here, Aimee and two other women tell Rebecca Pascoe how Instagram helped them to embrace their skin.

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Aimee is expecting a baby with chef Ryan McQueen, 35. The 34-year-old artist from Ashford, Kent, says:

"I first developed mild psoriasis at the age of 14. It was a few patches which I easily hid under clothes.

"I didnt worry much about it until 2018 when I had a severe outbreak.

"Incredibly, it was triggered by a New Years Eve kiss with someone who, unknown to me, had tonsilitis.

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"I caught the virus but also developed patches of dry skin on my forehead, cheeks and chest. Soon, the patches were the size of 2p pieces and all over my arms, thighs, and my back.

"A doctor diagnosed me with guttate psoriasis and said the tonsilitis had triggered it.

"I was devastated to be told there was no cure and terrified I would look like this for ever. My face was completely different to the one Id known my whole life.

"I moved back in with my mum and didnt want to go out, see friends or look in the mirror.

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"I couldnt face telling friends and family so I decided to explain to them on Instagram. Somehow the post got shared, and the reaction from strangers was incredible.

"In public, people have pointed at my face and said urgh but online Ive had such a positive response.

"People with psoriasis say Ive given them confidence, but I say the same thing back to them. Its a positive cycle, and we help each other.

"You expect acceptance and support from friends and family. And when it comes from strangers, it feels so genuine.

"Psoriasis can take over your life. Its uncomfortable, itchy and it burns.

"Clothes cause friction and at times I cant even wear a bra. Make-up can also aggravate the skin.

"Psoriasis on my scalp made my hair fall out, so sometimes I wear wigs. Ive even had toenails removed. Creams soothe it, and light therapy helped.

"Sunshine, a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol all help me manage it. But it can turn severe at any time.

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"My first night out after the major outbreak in June 2018 was intimidating.I noticed some blokes looking over and laughing.

"When one of them asked to buy me a drink I was shocked, and asked him if he could see my skin.

"He said yes, and that I was beautiful. Weve been together ever since and were expecting our baby in October.

Id worried psoriasis would stop me finding love. But I feel so much love in my life now."

Natalie Ambersley an executive assistant from Ilford, Essex, has vitiligo, where a lack of pigment causes white patches on the skin.

She now campaigns for Changing Faces, a charity that supports people with visible differences. Natalie, 38, says:

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"I was two when my mum noticed white patches on the back of my hand. I was diagnosed with vitiligo two years later. It wasnt well known then. I didnt know anyone like me.

"When I was a baby, someone asked my mum why shed let me be burned.

"At age eight, a boy at school went to touch my arm but stopped and said: I dont want to catch your skin.

"As a teenager, I felt isolated. I didnt want to show my skin, so even when it was hot I wore trousers and long sleeves. I loved PE but hated wearing the skirt, so made up excuses not to take part.

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"As a teenager you compare yourself to girls in magazines, but none of them looked like me.

"In my 20s I used make-up and fake tan to try to cover the patches. On dates I would hide my hands under the table and wear long-sleeved tops.

"Ive been trying treatments since I was four steroid creams, homeopathy and when I was older months of light therapy to stimulate the pigment in my skin.

"But when I was 30, I shared my story on Instagram and people with vitiligo from all around the world got in touch.

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"Ive now got around 2,500 followers and we share advice for example, about which suncream is effective. Id never had friends with vitiligo before but now I see people Ive met on Instagram for a glass of wine.

"Now I love my vitiligo, it makes me interesting. It gives me a story to tell, which is painted on my skin. I cant change it so had to celebrate it.

"I always felt I was missing something but now I feel beautiful and unique."

Make-up artist Bianca Lawrence developed keloids enlarged, raised areas of scar tissue on her jawline, ears, chest and back after being prescribed acne medication.

Bianca, 26, who lives in Bradford, says: "When I was about 12 I was prescribed Roaccutane for my acne.

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"At first, my skin came out in what looked like little pimples. By the time I was 16 they were big keloids.

"One behind my left ear was the size of a golf ball. They gave me shooting pains and they itch and burn.

"For ten years, I battled with confidence issues, covering up the keloids when out in public.

"Strangers would stare, make rude remarks, point and laugh. Someone even said I was ugly and should kill myself. At times, I was really depressed. But eventually, I decided I wanted to out my scars on Instagram before doing it in public.

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"So in February 2017, I posted two pictures one which I edited to cover up the scars, and another showing them.

"I was scared about the reaction, but I couldnt believe the positive responses.

"Since then, Ive been followed by loads of people around the world with the same condition. Ive got 6,200 followers.

"After getting that acceptance online, I felt more confident to show my scars in public.

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"I even put glitter on them sometimes so they shine I dont want to hide them any more. I feel so free now. I can be myself."

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Brave woman tells story of how New Years Eve kiss triggered incurable skin condition psoriasis - The Sun