A 30-year-old mother of two has lived with debilitating thrush for three decades, a condition so painful that she avoids sex. Danni-Lea Sandland, from Skegness, suffered from the fungal infection across her entire body since birth, experiencing itching, painful rashes, white discharge, and stinging during urination and intercourse.
Her mother sought medical help repeatedly, but doctors were unable to diagnose the cause. 'My mum tried all sorts to cure it. She was constantly taking me to the doctors but no one knew what it was and why it wasn't clearing up,' Danni-Lea said.
Danni-Lea also has type 1 diabetes and hypothyroidism, both autoimmune diseases. It was only after applying to the TV show 'The Really Bad Skin Clinic' that she received a life-changing diagnosis. She and her eight-year-old son, Clay Bishop, were found to have STAT-1 Gain of Function (GOF), a rare genetic disorder where the STAT-1 gene, which helps control the immune system, is overactive. This leads to autoimmune conditions and frequent infections, explaining Danni-Lea's lifelong thrush.
Growing up, Danni-Lea used antifungal creams but they were ineffective. 'Doctors kept saying "are you sure you're taking the medication properly?"' she recalled. The condition caused her teeth to deteriorate so badly that she needed full dentures by age 24. 'I lost all my teeth due to the condition because my gums and mouth were so painful it was unbearable to brush my teeth properly,' she said.
During her teens, statins provided relief for about seven years, but she had to stop when trying to conceive at age 23. The thrush returned aggressively, affecting her nails. When her son Clay showed similar symptoms soon after birth, Danni-Lea sought help. Her mother encouraged her to apply for the TV show, where Clay was featured in a 'Kids Special' in 2021.
On the show, Danni-Lea described how Clay's condition started on his thumb and spread quickly. He was initially diagnosed with psoriasis, but the condition worsened. 'We were really determined on getting answers for Clay. It was a relief getting diagnosed, but I didn't realise there's no actual treatment plan because it's such a rare condition,' she said.
STAT-1 GOF is a genetic disorder where immune cells are over-activated, increasing the risk of infections and autoimmune disease, especially thrush in the mouth, skin, and nails. Treatment often requires oral or intravenous antifungal medications.
The condition has taken a toll on Danni-Lea's personal life. 'I avoid sex as much as I can. I feel guilty every night but my partner is really understanding. He's never said anything about it, he's just accepted how it is,' she said. Chronic thrush has caused internal scarring, making intercourse painful.
Both Danni-Lea and Clay currently receive home infusions and are scheduled for stem cell transplants and chemotherapy to alleviate symptoms. With only about 400 people worldwide diagnosed with STAT-1 GOF, Danni-Lea hopes to raise awareness. 'People think it's thrush and that's contagious, but this isn't the same strain. We can't pass it onto anyone,' she emphasized.
