How a simple blister was the first sign this little girl, 10, would become bedridden with one of the world’s most rare and painful diseases

A little girl’s world is turned upside down after a blister on her foot that developed during a family holiday turned out to be a horrifying condition.

Bella Macey, 10, is in hospital battling complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) while her family desperately seeks treatment abroad.

CRPS is a rare neurological condition that causes extreme discomfort and is known as one of the most painful incurable conditions in the world.

The debilitating condition has caused the young Melbourne girl to lose movement in her leg and has been experiencing excruciating pain for over a month.

Her little infection first surfaced when she was on the beach with her family while on vacation in Fiji.

But the blister soon became sore and her whole leg began to ache.

When she returned to their home in Melbourne, she was rushed to Alfred’s emergency room for treatment.

Doctors performed X-rays, ultrasounds and blood tests, but could not determine what was wrong.

Bella, meanwhile, was given strong antibiotics, which proved to have little to no effect in relieving her pain.

After her original infection cleared and the pain persisted, Bella was diagnosed.

CRPS usually affects only one arm or leg after a previous injury, such as a fracture or sprain without nerve damage, or nerve damage to a limb.

It’s unclear exactly what causes CRPS, but it’s thought it may be because the nerves in the affected area become more sensitive, which can alter the pain pathways between the limb and the brain.

Since her diagnosis, Bella has been mostly bedridden and has no movement in her leg. She sometimes needs a wheelchair to get around.

The pain in her leg is so severe that she has also developed hypersensitivity, meaning that a simple touch can feel agonizing.

It has also led to extreme stress and strain on the family.

Despite taking strong medications daily during her month-long hospital stay, nothing helped to ease the young girls’ pain.

With no effective treatment available in Australia, her parents, Chris and Emma, ​​went abroad for treatment options.

After extensive research, they found the Spero Clinic in the US that specializes in CRPS.

Emma has since had one GoFundMe page to raise money to send Bella to the clinic for treatment and medical expenses.

“Bella has now been in hospital for 4 weeks and unfortunately there is no treatment available for her at the RCH or elsewhere in Australia that will treat the source of the pain,” she wrote.

“She has been on intensive meds, none of which have worked and we are desperate to send her to an overseas clinic that specializes (sic) and has credentials in offering remission to their patients.

“This is where your generosity becomes a lifeline for Bella.”

Emma emphasized how invaluable any donation to help daughter would be, no matter how small.

“Any donation, no matter the size, will make a major impact on Bella’s journey to recovery,” she wrote.

“Your support will not only ease the financial burden on our family, but will also restore hope and strength to Bella and remind her that she is not alone in this struggle.”

“Together we can help Bella overcome CRPS and pave the way for a brighter future.”

“From the bottom of our hearts, we express our deepest gratitude for considering Bella’s case. Your support will get us one step closer to seeing Bella smile, walk, play, go to school and thrive again,” she added.

The GoFundMe for Bella can be found here.