Meet the inspiring lad born with skin that blisters and tears when it's touched

A YOUNG lad who suffers from a rare skin condition equivalent to third degree burns still manages to hold down a job, drive and play football.

James Dunn, from Whiston, Merseyside, was born with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB) which causes the skin to blister and tear at the slightest touch.

The 22-year-old has to be constantly covered in bandages from the neck down, which can take up to four hours to change, in order to protect his skin.

James, from Merseyside, was born with the rare genetic condition Mercury Press

He also gets painful blisters in his eyes and throat.

James said: "Sometimes when I get blisters in my eyes I can be in my bedroom for days on end because I just can't see anything.

His skin is so fragile it blisters and breaks at the slightest touch Mercury Press

James gets painful blisters and has to be bandaged from the neck down Mercury Press

"It's agony."

Despite his painful condition, James refuses to let it stop him living a normal life.

James, pictured with his mum, is keen to raise awareness of his rare condition Mercury Press

He works one day a week as a HR administrator, is able to drive and even plays 'power chair football' for local team the Bolton Bullets.

He explained: "I take morphine every four hours to stop the pain which makes things better and if I didn't look on the bright side I'd probably just be depressed.

"I won't let my skin condition define who I am.

"I want to lead a normal life and that's exactly what I'm doing, my motto in life is #YOLO.

James still manages to drive and works one day a week Mercury Press

"I want to travel the world instead of feeling sorry for myself, that's kind of my bucket list."

Inspirational James has already visited numerous places including Las Vegas and South Africa.

James refuses to let his agonizing condition stop him from living a normal life Mercury Press

He said: "My number one dream as always been to sit next to a real life lion or tiger.

"I've seen videos and TV shows were people have had them as pets and I know that's not possible in this country but maybe on my travels I'll get to do that one day.

"I've got a good life and I can't complain - the unfortunate thing is there's always someone else who is worse off than you.

"My mum is my full time carer and I'm surrounded by friends and family who will always look out for me.

"I feel blessed if anything."

James plays power chair football for his team the Bolton Bullets Mercury Press

EB is caused by faulty genes and in most cases is inherited from one or both parents but sometimes the fault occurs spontaneously.

There are many cases when neither parent has the condition but their child does - this happens when both parents are 'carriers' of the faulty genes.