This father-of-three is unrecognisable after a mystery disease, originally diagnosed as sinusitis, caused his face to swell to three times its size.

Romulo Pilapil, 56, was given medication for sinusitis after being struck with itchy eyes and a red nose, like a cold, around three years ago in Ormoc City, the Philippines where he lives with his family.

Since then, Romulo has also gradually lost his eyesight due to the swelling, which has forced him to stop working as a carpenter and is taken care of by his three children while his wife works at the city hall.

The father's nephew commented that: "The doctors asked him to transfer to a bigger hospital in Manila where they could treat him, but the family could not afford to do this. Since then he hasn't had any treatment.''

This father-of-three is unrecognisable after a mystery disease which started as sinusitis caused his face to swell to three times its size.

Romulo Pilapil, 56, was struck with itchy eyes and a red nose like a cold around three years ago in Ormoc City, the Philippines.

The carpenter visited the local doctor in the remote region of the impoverished country but after taking medication, the condition did not improve.

Romulo was told he had sinusitis and given medication for the condition.

His last visit to medics was in 2018 and since then he has been unable to afford to continue trying to be treated.

The father's facial features have now swollen to three or four times their usual size - with his lips, cheeks and eyes protruding from his skulls.

Romulo has also gradually lost his eyesight due to the swelling, which has forced him to stop working as a carpenter.

Nephew John Santos said they though that Romulo only had an allergy when his symptoms began.

John said: ''His eyes looked irritated that day, and his nose was red. He had colds so everybody thought it was sinusitis, then his face started to swell."

After a few weeks of his face swelling, Romulo was checked by the doctors in their province but they could not give a proper diagnosis.

John added: "The doctors asked him to transfer to a bigger hospital in Manila where they could treat him, but the family could not afford to do this. Since then he hasn't had any treatment.''

Because of lack of finances, Romulo's last visit to the doctor was in 2018 and they have not followed up with appointments.

Romulo's three children took jobs while studying after he became ill. The three also alternately take care of their father on a schedule so they can all work and study at the same time. His wife, took a job at the city hall as a street sweeper to sustain the needs of their family.

John added: "They are good people who don't deserve this. I hope they can get help soon."