They call him Fish Boy

From: Jim H.

Sent: July 30, 2013

To: undisclosed recipients

Subject: Fw: They call him Fish Boy

Poor little fella. This was sent to me and I thought it was worth sharing. After doing a search I also saw the article on The Huffington Post.

Eight-year-old Pan Xianhang can't sleep at night. Known as “Fish Boy” by locals in the Eastern China province of Wenling, little Xianhang is covered head-to-toe in thick, itchy scales. Diagnosed at birth with the rare genetic disease Ichtyosis, Pan has lived his whole life with unbearable pain, often suffering from overheating and extreme itching. 

According to the Argentine newspaper, El Periodico, Pan’s mother says the young boy just wants to attend school without itching. His severe skin abnormalities have affected the shape of his eyelids, nose, mouth, and ears, while also limiting movement of his arms and legs, Imagine China reports. It is estimated that each year, more than 16,000 babies are born with some form of Ichthyosis, varying in severity of symptoms, according to Foundation for Ichthyosis & Related Skin Types.