MELANIE Edwards from Westhoughton suffers from a rare skin condition -- and now she is helping others with the disease.

The 23-year-old was born with Ichthyosis and constantly has to deal with blistering, dry, cracked and scaly skin.

Only three years ago, she learned about the Ichthyosis Support Group (ISG) -- and now she has been appointed Northern area representative.

"The committee asked me because I kept coming up with different ideas and they were quite impressed," said Melanie -- whose mum is the BEN's bride of the year, Carole Edwards.

"Obviously, I said 'yes' -- I'm thrilled."

The ISG has 17 members in the North but Melanie is convinced there are more sufferers out there.

She wants them to know she is there for them -- just as she and her mum have found the ISG invaluable.

"It was a great relief to find out about the group.

Disorder

"Now I want to help other people so they aren't on their own."

Only one in 500,000 babies are born with Ichthyosis -- a genetic condition which can be "a devastating disorder, often disfiguring even debilitating," according to the literature.

Melanie's condition went undiagnosed for a long time and only improved after she saw a top dermatologist in Cardiff.

Joining the ISG was another turnaround and in 1999, Melanie attended the organisation's first national day at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.

"It was the first time I had ever met anyone else with the condition.

"It was quite emotional as you can imagine -- especially seeing the little children playing.

"Memories started flooding back from my own childhood, and me and my mum were comforting each other."

But Melanie is now able to control her symptoms, by using special bath oils, creams and lotions, making sure she dries every inch of her skin thoroughly, and staying out of the sun to prevent blisters

"It does improve with age -- but not dramatically."

Yet, there are still bad days when her skin is so bad she finds it hard to walk.

"People who notice my skin presume it's eczema or psoriasis.

"They only see my hands and face and it's difficult to get people to understand that it's all over my body -- even on my scalp.

"It can get you down but I try not to let it get to me or show it -- it's part of me and I've accepted it.

"I do the best I can."

Meanwhile she is furthering her academic career with an access course in biology and environmental studies. She hopes to go on to do a degree in these subjects and loves primates and learning about animal behaviour.

Already, Melanie has been on placements at Blackpool Zoo and she was fascinated by the monkeys, observing them for hours. She has also been in touch with chimpanzee expert and primatologist, Jane Goodall, who answered each of her letters -- including a previous BEN article --and sent signed books and good wishes.

Reading about primates, studying, the support group and spending time with her fiance are taking up all of the young woman's time.

Melanie said: "I like keeping busy -- it keeps my mind occupied especially during a bad spell."

Melanie and her mum are organising a Cheese, Wine and Pampering Evening in aid of the ISG and genetic research and treatment. The event will be held at Brookfield Lodge, Peel Street, Westhoughton, on Wednesday, September 12, 7.30pm. Tickets are £3 and include a make-up demonstration by professional make-up artist Debby Mercer. For tickets or more information, phone Melanie on 01204 387424 or Carole on 01942 790451. SUPPORT WITH A SMILE: Melanie Edwards Ref: 2567/9 MELANIE Edwards from Westhoughton suffers from a rare skin condition -- and now she is helping others with the disease.

The 23-year-old was born with Ichthyosis and constantly has to deal with blistering, dry, cracked and scaly skin.

Only three years ago, she learned about the Ichthyosis Support Group (ISG) -- and now she has been appointed Northern area representative.

"The committee asked me because I kept coming up with different ideas and they were quite impressed," said Melanie -- whose mum is the BEN's bride of the year, Carole Edwards.

Relief

"Obviously, I said 'yes' -- I'm thrilled."

The ISG has 17 members in the North but Melanie is convinced there are more sufferers out there.

She wants them to know she is there for them -- just as she and her mum have found the ISG invaluable.

"It was a great relief to find out about the group.

"Now I want to help other people so they aren't on their own."

Only one in 500,000 babies are born with Ichthyosis -- a genetic condition which can be "a devastating disorder, often disfiguring even debilitating," according to the literature.

Melanie's condition went undiagnosed for a long time and only improved after she saw a top dermatologist in Cardiff.

Joining the ISG was another turnaround and in 1999, Melanie attended the organisation's first national day at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.

"It was the first time I had ever met anyone else with the condition.

"It was quite emotional as you can imagine -- especially seeing the little children playing.

"Memories started flooding back from my own childhood, and me and my mum were comforting each other."

But Melanie is now able to control her symptoms, by using special bath oils, creams and lotions, making sure she dries every inch of her skin thoroughly, and staying out of the sun to prevent blisters

"It does improve with age -- but not dramatically."

Yet, there are still bad days when her skin is so bad she finds it hard to walk.

"People who notice my skin presume it's eczema or psoriasis.

"They only see my hands and face and it's difficult to get people to understand that it's all over my body -- even on my scalp.

Career

"It can get you down but I try not to let it get to me or show it -- it's part of me and I've accepted it.

"I do the best I can."

Meanwhile she is furthering her academic career with an access course in biology and environmental studies. She hopes to go on to do a degree in these subjects and loves primates and learning about animal behaviour.

Already, Melanie has been on placements at Blackpool Zoo and she was fascinated by the monkeys, observing them for hours. She has also been in touch with chimpanzee expert and primatologist, Jane Goodall, who answered each of her letters -- including a previous BEN article --and sent signed books and good wishes.

Reading about primates, studying, the support group and spending time with her fiance are taking up all of the young woman's time.

Said Melanie: "I like keeping busy -- it keeps my mind occupied especially during a bad spell."

Melanie and her mum are organising a Cheese, Wine and Pampering Evening in aid of the ISG and genetic research and treatment. The event will be held at Brookfield Lodge, Peel Street, Westhoughton, on Wednesday, September 12, 7.30pm. Tickets are £3 and include a make-up demonstration by professional make-up artist Debby Mercer. For tickets or more information, phone Melanie on 01204 387424 or Carole on 01942 790451.