Brandi Glanville’s Health Struggles: Facial Changes, Diagnosis, and More
Brandi Glanville has faced challenging times over the past two years due to an unknown medical condition resulting in facial disfigurement.
In July 2024, Glanville began to share her health struggles, even contemplating legal action against Bravo over her situation.
“This stress has destroyed my health. I experience uncontrollable stress-induced angioedema, and I haven’t been able to work for a year … too depressed to do my podcast,” she posted via X. She also shared that she was “too swollen for Cameo or OF [OnlyFans].” (According to the Mayo Clinic, stress-induced angioedema results in swelling in the skin’s deeper layers, often around the eyes, lips, or cheeks.)
Nearly five months later, the RHOBH alum took to social media to post a selfie highlighting her skin issues, which she said remain a mystery to her and her doctors.
“I wish I knew; I’ve been in and out of the hospital this past year and a half, spending nearly every dollar I have trying to find answers,” she shared via X. “Some doctors think I have a parasite that moves around my face, while others say it’s stress-induced edema. Personally, I blame Bravo.”
Continue reading to discover everything Glanville has revealed about her unknown condition:
Spent $70K on Treatments for Potential Face Parasites
Glanville admitted to spending approximately $70,000 trying to resolve the issue, which some doctors theorized might be caused by facial parasites.
“To be honest, I’ve consulted numerous doctors and undergone countless tests … I even did lab work costing $10,000,” she recounted to Entertainment Tonight in December 2024. “I’ve taken every test imaginable…. They mentioned a parasite could be the cause, which is a new concept.”
The reality star explained that she had been “on medication this whole year” and doesn’t go out or socialize.
“I’m spending all my money trying to uncover what’s wrong with me,” she told the outlet, adding that her financial situation has been “stressful” as she has not worked for two years.
Her Suspicions About the Cause of the Possible Parasite
Glanville is unsure how she may have contracted the potential parasite, but suspects it happened while filming The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip in Morocco.
“We had food sitting out for hours, some of it being meat. This was in Morocco,” she stated in an interview with ET in December 2024. “Six months after returning from Morocco, I began experiencing swelling and speaking issues, which started in July, and we’re still trying to get to the bottom of it.”
Describes the Sensation of the ‘Moving’ Parasite in Her Face
“When I get chills, it usually signifies an infection,” Glanville remarked during an appearance on Page Six’s “Virtual Reali-Tea” in December 2024. “Then I experience a ticking sensation in my ear, followed by whatever’s in my face moving around again. It feels like it’s sinking in.”
While Glanville doesn’t confirm it’s a parasite, she admitted she prefers her face “when it’s a little swollen” because the “sinking in” effect makes her feel like she looks “like a crackhead.”
Impact on Her Dating and Social Life
Glanville shared that she hasn’t been intimate with anyone for over a year due to her facial condition.
“I have things to do, places to go, and people to kiss. I haven’t had sex since last October,” she revealed on her “Brandi Glanville Unfiltered” podcast in December 2024. “I haven’t kissed or made out with anyone. I haven’t really socialized.”
However, she noted that after publicly sharing her struggle, she felt encouraged to re-enter the social scene.
“Once I opened up about my condition, it felt like a huge weight lifted off my shoulders, allowing me to stop hiding,” she explained. “I had been isolating myself in deep misery, reluctant to share what I was experiencing or see anyone.”
Effects on Her Mental Health
Glanville expressed her frustration with “faking” that everything is fine when she is “absolutely miserable.”
“My best friend has been in the ICU for two weeks and isn’t improving. My face is worse than ever,” she posted on X in March 2025. “It’s literally disintegrating. When doctors at Cedars put me on IV antibiotics and fungal meds, I was improving and looked normal, but I can’t afford to continue that treatment. I had to seek doctors outside my insurance because the ones at Kaiser had no solutions.”
Disfigurement’s Effect on Her Teeth
“I have painful lumps—one near my jaw, one on the side of my neck, and one at the back of my neck,” she conveyed via X in March 2025. “I experience chills and a constant foul-tasting drainage from my face into my mouth; it’s acidic and damaging my teeth. Moreover, all my lymph nodes in my head and neck are swollen. Yet, the doctors at Kaiser say I’m fine. :/ PLEASE HELP ME.”
Her Flare-Ups
Glanville recounted a story from the Daily Mail via X stating that her facial disfigurement seemed to be improving. She quoted the post to discuss her flare-ups.
“I have good days, but also really bad days where I experience severe flare-ups,” she explained above the April 7 article. “It’s an ongoing battle 🙏”
‘Still Something Wrong’
In April 2025, Glanville spoke with the Daily Mail and provided an update on her ongoing health struggle.
“There’s something wrong with my body, and not knowing what it is is terrifying,” she shared. “I need to find answers. I want to understand what’s happening because I fear not waking up one day.”
Glanville expressed that “even if the answer is dreadful,” she seeks clarity regarding her health.
“I literally wish I could grab a scalpel and cut my face open,” she added. “It’s just so frustrating.”
She has spent nearly all her money in search of answers.
Feeling Hopeful at Last
In July 2025, Glanville expressed gratitude to one of her doctors via X, indicating that she was “finally getting answers” regarding her health concerns.
“I am incredibly thankful to my NYC angel @DrScomaME_CFS for genuinely wanting to help me recover,” she posted. “I can’t wait to embrace life again (fix my teeth, gain 10lbs, & share a kiss with someone special). I am so excited to leave this house and LIVE again.”
Botched Nair Treatment
Glanville attempted to treat her facial parasite using the hair removal cream Nair, which resulted in severe chemical burns on her cheeks and chin, as shown in an August 2025 TikTok video.
“I know I look fabulous,” she said as she displayed her red, blotchy, damaged skin. “On the bright side, you don’t have to spend a fortune on peels and lasers anymore.”
She explained that she tried Nair because she realized that exfoliating her skin “irritates the parasite” on her face.
“Nair is like the fountain of youth. I’ve figured it out, but I used too much,” Glanville remarked. “Seven minutes is too long. Don’t do that.”
In her caption, Glanville cautioned fans to perform a “test patch” before applying Nair across their entire face.
“I’m in pain, so don’t leave it on for 7 minutes. It also burned the loose skin on my arms, and it costs just $7,” she concluded. “Create a mix of aloe vera, cucumber, and black tea, freeze it, and use a spray bottle for relief since I’m in considerable discomfort.”
Receiving a Diagnosis
On December 5, 2025, Glanville informed TMZ that she had received a formal diagnosis for her condition, although she didn’t disclose the exact cause of her affliction.
The reality TV star shared that her “mother was in tears” of relief upon hearing the cause of her facial disfigurement.
Looking Ahead
In January 2025, Glanville revealed her new look, expressing gratitude to plastic surgeon Dr. Nicholas Nikolov for a recent cosmetic procedure.
“Thank you, Dr. Nicholas Nikolov, the amazing CellSound, for preparing me for The Sundance Film Festival, and I’m looking forward to the PBM Princess movie event at Kemo Sabe,” Glanville captioned an Instagram photo showcasing her updated appearance.
