A father-of-three has been left unrecognisable after a mystery illness caused his face to swell to three times its ordinary size.

Romulo Pilapil, 56, a carpenter from the Philippines, first fell ill three years ago when he developed itchy eyes and a running nose.

He was initially diagnosed with sinusitis and was given medication, but two weeks later his condition had not improved and his face had begun to swell.

Romulo Pilapil, 56, a carpenter from the Philippines, has been left with a face swollen to three times its normal size after suffering from a mystery illness

Pilapil began to feel unwell three years ago when his eyes began watering and his nose started running, which was first diagnosed as sinus trouble (left before his illness, right now)

Medics on the island of Leyte, where he lives, were left baffled by the condition and recommended that he travel to Manila to be treated there.

But the family could not afford to send him, and the condition continued to worsen.

Pilapil lost his eyesight when his lids swelled shut and has been forced to stop working.

His children, all of whom are studying, were forced to take jobs to help support the family while his wife also became a street sweeper.

The children also take it in turns to care for him at home.

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.'

Medics gave Pilapil medication to treat what they thought was an infection, but within weeks the swelling had started and defied all attempts to treat it

The father-of-three was told to seek treatment at a specialist hospital in Manila, but is unable to afford it, leaving him stranded

Since Pilapil's eyes have swollen shut he has been forced to give up his work as a carpenter, with his wife (left) forced to take a job as a cleaner to support their three children

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.'

Romulo's last visit to the doctor was in 2018 and the family have not followed up with local appointments because there is nothing else medics can do.

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