Johanna Watkins is a prisoner in her own bedroom. Her windows are sealed shut, the walls are wrapped in plastic. There’s no natural light, and few visitors. And it’s all just to keep her alive.
The 29-year-old US woman suffers from a rare immune condition called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, which has caused her body to develop an allergic response to nearly everything in her environment.
Prolonged exposure to dust, chemicals, most foods, even the scent of other people – including her husband, Scott – could be fatal.
“I can’t get too close,” he told Fox 9. “I can’t hug her safely. I can’t hug her without hurting her.”
The scent of her husband can make Johanna ill. Image: Facebook.
The only physical contact the couple have is when Scott must whisk her to a medical appointment or the emergency room - an experience that leaves her exhausted and vulnerable.
"As soon as that door opens, I can feel it. My body goes into complete attack mode," Johanna told Fox 9. "It feels like my body is waging war on itself. My throat automatically tightens. It kind of feels like Darth Vader doing a choke hold."
Anaphylaxis is the most common reaction she experiences, but her body also battles rashes, inflammation, bone pain and loss of consciousness.
According to the station, hers is one of the most severe cases of MCAS doctors have seen. While most can be alleviated via a cocktail of medication, Johanna's has not responded to any treatment.