February 2010
A mum, who had been suffering from a severe and mysterious skin complaint for almost a decade, appeared on Channel 4's Embarrassing Bodies and was referred to Dr Jennifer Yell, Consultant Dermatologist at Spire Cheshire Hospital by one of the shows TV doctors.
Dr Yell gave an initial diagnosis of psoriasis, which happens when skin cells produce too quickly and can lead to flaky, scaly patches. One month later, Dr Yell was able to put the skin complaint down to an underactive thyroid, which can be brought on following child birth and may cause dry, itchy skin, hair loss and depression.
Dr Yell said 'I was happy to help the patient by taking part in the show. It is important that people are not afraid to seek help with ailments they consider embarrassing. Skin complaints, which are often trivialised, can be the source of great embarrassment and stress, and my message is they are mostly treatable. Access to a good consultant dermatologist is crucial so a proper diagnosis can be made'.