Nigerian beauty queen almost died after reacting to eyedrops that made her skin fall off. [Graphic pictures ]

Marian Adejokun, 24, who once came second in a Miss Teen Africa beauty pageant, was left in a coma for a month because of Stevens-Johnson syndrome,

a rare, serious disorder of the skin and mucous membranes. It’s usually a reaction to a medication. The reaction caused the top layer of her skin to shed and die.

The nightmare began 5 years ago when Marian, from Thornton Heath, south London, complained of an itchy eye, and her GP directed her to the chemist for some eye drops. She woke up the following morning with lumps all over her body and was rushed to hospital, where her skin began to shed.

She was soon after put into a medically induced coma, and doctors told her mum she may not survive. She later recovered and went on to complete a degree in early childhood studies at the University of Roehampton.

Marian, said: “When I was in the intensive care unit, crying in pain, all I thought of was coming home. I’ve overcome a lot of in my life. Losing my skin because of an eye drop is just another obstacle I’ve made it through. I am so happy to be alive and share my unique story.

   
No matter what the struggles may be, one has to believe in themselves and have a positive attitude towards life. I see my story as a positive one. I believe this will inspire a lot of youths to be grateful for what they have.” She has gone on to pen two books about her life to motivate others, titled My Life Is Not My Own and ReachOut2All. She is also involved in community work.