A make-up artist who couldn't stop scratching her itchy skin has gone viral on TikTok after claiming she was misdiagnosed with scabies for six months before doctors discovered she had cancer.

April Grierson from Belle Vale, Liverpool, first contacted her GP with chronic itching in June 2021, who first believed it was scabies.

Months later, when a lump appeared on her neck, doctors referred her to hospital, where it was discovered that the itching was actually a symptom of something much worse.

April was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma – a type of blood cancer – in November last year.

A video that breaks down her diagnosis timeline has gone viral on TikTok, racking up 5.1 million views and 553,600 likes so far.

“I had this sense that something was wrong," April told Jam Press.

"I’d even told my mum I thought I had cancer but she put that down to me feeling so anxious.

“Turns out I was right and I’m so glad I kept going back to the doctors.

"I knew my own body.”

April, who at first believed the itching skin might be down to her washing powder, grew concerned after swapping brands and noticing no difference in her symptoms.

She even sent her dog away for two weeks, just in case she was allergic.

April said: “At first I was trying to work out what I was allergic to.

"My skin itched day and night from my head to my feet. I was tearing at my skin.

“I couldn’t sleep and I was making myself bleed, I was red raw.”

After several telephone consultations with a GP, April says she was given creams and tablets to treat scabies.

She said: “I knew it couldn’t be scabies as it’s highly contagious and my boyfriend hadn’t caught it.

“I couldn’t get a face-to-face appointment because of Covid so I kept sending more pictures but the doctors said I had no rash or distinctive skin marks for them to make a diagnosis.

“In October I found a lump in my neck that grew quickly.

"Within three weeks I had an appointment at a specialist head and neck centre.

“I was diagnosed with cancer that day after blood tests, CT scans and a biopsy showed I had blood cancer and it was a tumour on my neck.”

April’s boyfriend, Sean O’Flaherty, 23, had been waiting in the car during April’s four-hour appointment but was allowed inside when she was told the news.

April said: “I knew as soon as Sean was allowed in [that] it was cancer.

"I was so scared and just cried and cried.

"I couldn’t believe I had to drive home and tell my parents I had cancer. I was devastated.”

Further tests revealed April has Stage 2 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Now she faces six months of two-weekly chemotherapy cycles to kill the cancer that has spread from a lymph node in her neck to her chest and around her windpipe.

To make matters worse, April suffered a second tragedy when – before starting chemo – she underwent egg retrieval in case her future fertility was affected and suffered complications.

The fertility drugs used caused ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), which made her ovaries swell and leak fluid into her body.

April was in hospital for two weeks with fluid on her lungs.

They ended up being able to retrieve seven eggs and four embryos.

She recently took to TikTok to share her story in the hopes that it will help others and encourage them to trust their instincts.

April added: “I'm raising awareness for everything I'm going through because I want people to know they know their body best.

“If my story helps one person to push for an appointment and listen to their body then I’ll be glad.”

The clip racked up more than 560,000 likes and was viewed five million times.

One user said: “So proud of you! Keep fighting angel x.”

“Strong woman,” another person commented.

Someone else added: “What you’re going through must be one of the scariest times in your life, thank you for sharing this. I want to follow so I can watch you beat this.”

“I wish all the best in your life you deserve it. Stay strong,” said another fan.

Another follower insisted: “You’re gonna get through this!!!” [sic]