Brandi Glanville Says Ruptured Breast Implants Caused Her “Face Parasite” Scare

Brandi Glanville in 2014
Credit: RumorFix, Wiki Commons (Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license).

Brandi Glanville, 53, best known for The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, had been suffering from facial swelling and illness for years before doctors found the cause. 

It was initially considered to be a face parasite. However, the issue was finally linked to ruptured breast implants that were close to 20 years old, with one described as a complete rupture.

People reported that Glanville had these health issues for more than two years, and after a long list of medical visits, a sonogram helped reveal what mammograms had not.

Glanville’s implants were leaking, and the silicone was affecting her lymph nodes and drainage, which she says fed into infection and swelling.

On this journey, Glanville saw 21 doctors before getting clarity.

When it all started

Glanville said that the issues began in July 2023, with her initial theory being that it was something she ate while filming in Morocco for The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip.

Entertainment Weekly reported that the reality TV celebrity admitted to spending upwards of $70,000 trying to figure the issue out.

Glanville has lived in the public eye for years, with the usual reality TV mix of headlines, heat, and oversharing. Bravo has long positioned her as one of the show’s bigger personalities, which makes the past couple of years of isolation and doctor visits, no doubt, a truly stressful time.

For many, the scenario of a ruptured implant or silicone leakage is unlikely. However, demodex mites, also known as face parasites, are common.

Demodex mites

Demodex
A Demodex folliculorum, approximately 0.33 mm in length, in the infected skin. Credit: Ran Yuping et al., Wiki Commons (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license).

Demodex mites are often one of the first things people mean when they say face parasite. The Cleveland Clinic states that almost everyone has these microscopic mites in facial hair follicles and pores, and they usually cause no problems. 

Yet, trouble can start when they multiply too much. This can lead to an irritating condition called demodicosis. 

If you are experiencing any of the following, you may be suffering from this condition:

  • Burning or itchiness
  • Redness and sensitive skin
  • Whitehead-like pustules
  • Scaly patches that can resemble eczema
  • A rough, sandpaper feel
  • Eye symptoms like irritated lids, lash loss, or even decreased vision

The Cleveland Clinic says that symptoms can show up fast, even as quickly as overnight.

Call your doctor or a dermatologist if facial symptoms don’t settle quickly, especially if they’re new for you.

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