Episode Guide
Episode 8
Patients for Episode 8 included 38-year-old Jeff, whose in-growing facial hair was destroying his self confidence. There was Rosacea suffering Susan who was so embarrassed about her constant blushing that she couldn’t even face going for a job interview.
There was also 47 year-old Gael, whose face was covered in ugly blood blisters – the result of a genetic condition. Finally there was Geoff, who had reached the end of his tether with his severe psoriasis. Due to complications he couldn’t have light therapy, so his last hope is the Embarrassing Illnesses clinic.
Dr Jessen also hit a student union bar where he explained how dietary habits were crucial when it came to avoiding bowel cancer.
Comments and Questions
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hi, i have follicles around my genital area, how do i cure them?
Hi I’m writing on behalf of my mother who has been suffering from SLE (Systemic lupus erythematosus) for over 10 years now. Over time she has gone to doctors but they have only prescribed her Hydroxychloroquine and Topical Steroids and Analgesia (Painkiller). Her condition has worsened over the 10 years and she now has, as side effects Skin rashes (Butterfly rash on her face), Psoriasis on her knees and hands and possible Sjogren’s syndrome. If anybody knows of a specialist that can help her with her problems, it would be very much appreciated. Could you please give me any contact details of specialists in the UK?
if you have any luck with this post i would love to hear about it,,,i to am on the same medication and it just seems to be getting worse.I too feel i have sjogrens and probably fibromalgia,,,but i cant get a doctor to listen ,,i keep being told its normal to feel like this with lupus!! let me know how you get on ..and best wishes to your mum...she is not alone.i live in lincolnshire dont know about the area you are in
You should try the London Lupus Centre, it is private and you have to pay for it, so that might not be an option. If not, and you are unhappy with the consultant your mother sees at the moment, she needs to ask her GP for a referral to another rheumatologist, they deal with SLE and associated conditions. She may need a more aggressive treatment.
I was diagnosed with S.L.E when I was 19, and have suffered with it for over 30years. It started with the Butterfly rash, when this burned itself out I started suffering with other things . I have Artheritus so I see a specialist for that, every few months. Over the years I have had recurring miscarriages early and late on in the pregnancy. I have had millions of stomach ulcers. A minor Heart attack and now take Warfarin. My gaull bladder removed all due to medication to help the Lupus. I take steroids and have done for the last 17 years, which they now think are affecting my eyes .People dont realise just what damage this illness can do. You have to learn to live with it . Do things on good days and rest on bad days
hi Im sorry for all of us the docs dont seem to bother at all, I have and am still living in a dif world alltogether. I have SLE with ME, fibromyalga, diabetees, thyrod trouble, senesitive to all meds that have caused reactions. I double over in pain with pain killers because of ulsers in stomack. there has not been a med that I have not had a reaction to. I used a book foods that heal foods that harm, relaxation tech, massarge, spar/days and Paul Mechenner cds constantly to convince myself positive and happy. The docs have not got a clue, Hydromoxiqunine is a failed maleria drug, they say it works for some but I have yet to find anyone. I may have sjogrens, but docs say mine is mutating into something new. My mum had all I have listed, with nefrotic syndrome, only found on her death bed. I think we should all raise awareness, doc should listen to us and do as much research as they can, this is like a cancer and most with cancer will suffer what we do I sup, they can get better or have some hope, we have no treatment, no releife of pain, and no cure, docs wont even admit this, and In some cases sufferers are told its in your head, like my mum was told for years. lol where else do pain nerves come from eh, and how should you feel them. In your little toe like most peoples brains are when the have not got a clue of how or what this is.
i am easily embarrassed.i get embarrassed every day. my face goes realy red and start to sweet verly badly. this affects my life every day.
I have an illness called hydredenitis suppuritiva, which affects the grion area. It very embarrising, painful, and gives a very offensive odour. my Dermatligist says there i no cure. Is there a way of easing the pain?, and mabye have some quality of life. I am 49 yearsan have had this illness or 20 years.
Such a thing as a false negative - suggest you go get tested again, and see a rheumatologist, or immuologist - Lupus being an autoimmune disease. Your call. Ensure that the rheumy, or immunologist, is a Lupus **specialist - you can check this out aforehand. When you get to the consultation, check with the reception desk that you are scheduled to see the rheumy you have made the appointmnt with (very often there are a number of rheumies in attendance, and they pick up the next file in the pile!) Don't be put off. And, it is your right to see a consultant, and, anywhere in the UK - again, your call. Most people are unaware of that. (Came into force some three years ago. 'Smile'.) Hope you can sort.
For roughly ten years I have had the typical Lupus "butterfly rash" on my face. My mum was diagnosed with Lupus over twenty years ago, so I was tested a few years after getting the rash, but it came back negative. Sometimes it's a light pink colour and only a little bit of make-up is needed to cover it, however on most days it is red, bumpy and dry, and it makes me so self-conscious and I'd love if anyone could recommend something to get rid of this or even just tone it down. I was recommended Vitamin E supplements but nothing seems to have changed. Thanks.
hi i have lupus and so does a friend of mine she takes vitamin D and it really helps give it a try it my help!
hi im 30yrs old and av sufferd from lupus for 4yrs and the best way too keep it from getting like that is for u too goto ur gp and get the total sun block off him i use it even if its cold but the sun is out try it it dose help xx
i used elcon cream or euavate (spelt that rong) its a steriod cream that helps with the lupus rash then i used sun black 50 +
The best thing i can advise you to do is visit your GP. My mum sufefrs from lupus abd currently take various tablets and steroids such as hydrocychloroquine. She also uses a "camoflauge" make up which was given to her by her GP, as well as very strong make-up (as others suggested). This seems to have made a huge difference to her well being aswell as her confidence. But seeing your doctor is your best bet, and its usually very hard to diagnose so make sure your persistent. Hope this helps :)
hi im 23 and just been diagnosed with lupus iv been haveing the butterfly rash on my face for years .i had an ava test done and it came back negative but the consultant took a biopisy and that came back possitive for lupus . there is no cure for lupus really you need to have a biopisy done when you rash is at it worst then they will give you a suitable medicaction to manage it and you will need to put a factor 50+ on in sun light which may help you need to speak to your doctor as soon as possible hope i have helped you .
hi i have sle and dicoid lupus i can get quite a bad rash on my face witch is bumpy and itchy when i get my rash i take hydrocloxiquine and it takes it right down good luck
hydrocortisone cream if otc doesn't help a gp can give you one a little stronger
I have had Lupus for 18yrs and have never had a positive blood result. This is not as uncommon as you may think; a negative blood result doesn't mean that you don't have Lupus. A good source of support is the Lupus UK - www.lupusuk.org.uk
i use a 'green' foundation from NO7 in boots. you apply it with a sponge and leave for about 10 mins before applying normal foundation. For me, i know i know the rash is still there but i felt much more comfortable going out because the rash was hardly noticable.
hi i am angela and i was diagnossed with lupus and the only way i can keep it down is to take allergy relief and the doctor put me on mepacrine 100mg the more it itches the bad it gets hope this will help u ty
I am 26 years old and have all forms of lupus. I was diognosed with it 7 years ago. There are 3 forms of lupus...1)SLE which can affect your organs 2) Antiphosphilipid syndrome which affects the blood and 3) discoid lupus. What you're describing is discoid lupus which affects the skin. A common symtom for discoid lupus is a butterfly rash across your cheeks and nose. I have this and i find that using a good foundation and blusher on your cheeks helps hide my skin rash. I use a foundation that has a SPF in it aswell as suncream as UV light can trigger a rash to become more aggressive.
I have a red blister/spot that appeared on the end of my nose which spread quickly all over my nose. It dripped with liquid/pus and then scabbed over but has not healed. This is the second time it has appeared and lasts for about a month. Any suggestions of what it could be? Tried antiseptic creams and wipes.
hi try washing with tree tea oil. use day and night. you should see a difference by a week.
I have skin tags on the outside of my bum,im 42 and ive had 2 children i also dont empty my bowels sufficiently and have to wipe for ages,ive had piles over the years and a small op to eleviate a fissure or fistula? not sure which. Saw a lady have it on your show but was'nt clear on wether its a big problem or was there something that could be done.
i have darker skin inside my groin both sides and also up near ny vagina,could anybody please tell me what it is and what causes it?
3 years ago i was diagnosed with systemic lupus erathematosis. The first treatment given to me was steriods-prednisolone. I was on 60mg for 3 months striaght. And continued up until now on lower doses each month. I am now on 4mg a day. With this my body became very swollen and at the time i was only 29kg in weight. I shot to a 40kg. In this process I recieved stretching of the skin terribly on my under arms, legs and torso. I have marks literally from my ankles all up to the top of my legs and across my bum. I cant wear skirts, dresses. When i go to dico's I have to wear tights or trousers while everyone else is wearing skirts and shorts. Its really upsetting because I am 15. The creams such as stretch mark creams, I have used for a year and no improvement has been made. HELP.
Remember watching an episode where a girl had really bad cracking skin on her shins (possibly due to shaving?) and you recommended some creams and cling film. this seemed to clear the problem. What was the condition called and what was prescribed?
