Thought It Was a Skin Disease... "Sensation of Parasites Moving Inside My Face"

Famous US Actress Diagnosed with Rare Infectious Disease
Unexplained Facial Swelling Requires Early Detection

Brandi Glanville (53), a broadcaster and model who rose to fame appearing on the American reality show "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills," revealed that she suffered from a severe rare infectious disease. The illness caused her to endure facial disfigurement, and it is reported that she nearly went bankrupt seeking treatment, prompting widespread sympathy.

According to foreign media such as the Daily Mail on October 5 (local time), Glanville recently disclosed on her own podcast that she has been battling the illness for the past three years.

Brandi Glanville, the American broadcaster, after battling illness (left). Screenshot from social networking service (SNS)

Her illness is reported to be a rare combination infection that involves severe facial disfigurement and tissue necrosis of the face. The skin on her face became sunken, masses formed around her jaw and neck, and her facial features changed, accompanied by excruciating pain. She confessed, "It feels like something is alive and moving inside my face," and described it as "a horrifying illness that made me want to carve out my own flesh."

The origin of the infection was identified as a multi-pathogen infection involving antibiotic-resistant bacteria, deep-seated fungi, parasites, and viruses. Medical staff performed surgical removal procedures to eliminate the organisms, and she received intensive intravenous therapy for as many as 18 hours per day to suppress their growth.

Glanville also revealed that her prolonged illness has led to financial ruin. She has already spent $13,000 (about 1,746,000 KRW) just to receive a diagnosis and initial treatment. In addition, even with health insurance, she is reportedly billed an extra $16,000 (about 2,200,000 KRW) monthly for additional treatments.

She is currently fundraising through the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe. Glanville admitted, "I even considered appearing on a survival reality program because I couldn't afford the medical and living expenses."

Infectious disease specialists warn that unexplained nodules, swelling, or indentations on the face or skin should never be ignored, especially if such lesions appear after cosmetic procedures, as they may be signs of infection rather than aftereffects. If the cause of the illness is not detected early through tissue biopsy, it could lead to irreversible complications such as nerve paralysis or systemic health issues.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.