What caused this man’s entire body to turn ashen black?

Just like most people, Kentridge was obsessed with two things — skincare and selfies.

With just the right amount of facial wash, toner and moisturizer, Kentridge would get the skin that he needed for the perfect selfie.

But everything drastically changed when his skin started to become red and irritated that soon, his entire body started to dry up and turn ashen black!

In the recent Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho episode, Kentridge said that it was only this February when his skin started to change, a reaction he blamed on a matambaka fish that he ate.

He said on the very night he ate the fish, he soon started to feel itchy and unwell.

His skin turned black from head to toe and because of dryness, his skin also started to peel off. Some parts would get wounds, some would secrete puss, and some would even secrete liquid already.

He said, "'Yung sa ulo ko po umabot po din siya. Feeling ko po sinemento ‘yung ulo ko po kasi parang ang kapal ng balakubak." 

(It even reached my head already. I feel like my head's been semented with all the dandruff I'm having.)

Kentridge worked as a service crew in a mall but when his skin started to turn red with irritation, he had to go home and live with his siblings Joan and Kiffany in a small hut in barangay Semirara, Antique.

Because his skin would dry up so much, his siblings would have to sweep away the dry skin that would fall on the floor.

His sibling Kiffany would even pluck the dry skin away from his body just to ease Kentridge's pain.

Joan, who was a mother, feared that her own baby might eat Kentridge's skin.

Kentridge's condition got so bad that it affected even his capability to function on a daily basis.

Aside from his siblings assisting him every time he went to the bathroom, his siblings would from time to time spoonfeed him as well because even his hands would get severely wounded.

He would also get a fever right after taking a bath.

"Mabilisan lang po, kasi nilalagnat po ako. Sobrang nagchi-chill ako," he said. "Tapos parang 'yung balat ko mas lalong tumitigas 'pag nababasa po."

(It's just a quick bath because I'd get a fever right away. I'd really have chills. Then my skin even feels harder everytime it gets wet)

That's why he chose to get wiped with a towel rather than take a bath.

He said, "Sobrang awang-awa po ako sa sarili ko po kasi hindi ako makabili ng gamot. Nahihiya rin po akong mag-demand sa mga kapatid ko kasi may mga pamilya po sila."

(I feel so sorry for myself because I can't even buy medicine. I'm too embarassed to demand from my siblings because they have their own families to take care of)

Aside from the expense, Kentridge was also afraid of trying out moisturizers and medication in fear that it will just make his condition worse.

"Conscious na po ako sa sarili ko. Parang wala na akong gana. Nawalan ako ng confidence, parang feeling ko po hindi na babalik sa dati ‘yung balat ko," he added.

(I'm conscious of myself already. I feel like I've lost energy for anything. I lost all confidence and I feel like my skin won't go back to normal anymore)

Fortunately, the KMJS team transported Kentridge from Antique all the way to Manila to have him properly checked by doctors.

Upon testing, Kentridge was diagnosed with exfoliative dermatitis.

Kentridge will need to undergo a procedure that will require financial assistance.

He said, "Sobrang hirap na po sa pakiramdam ko po. Gusto ko na po talagang gumaling. Sana po merong makapagpaabot po ng tulong sa akin. Ngayon pa lang po nagpapasalamat na po ako sa inyo. Diyos na lang po ang gumanti sa inyo po. Maraming maraming salamat sa lahat ng tutulong po."

(My condition is really bad. I want to feel better. I hope you can extend any help. I want to thank everyone who will help me. God sure will bless you more. Thank you so much) — LA, GMA News

For those who want to help him, you may donate to:

BPI Account Name: Krista Calabria

BPI Account Number: 00-6991-2648