Jameela Jamil Has Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - but What Actually Is It?

From Women's Health

Yesterday, actress and freshly minted activist Jameela Jamil revealed she has a rare skin condition, called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

Her reason for sharing this with the world? In response to Kim Kardashian's latest make-up launch: a body foundation, which the reality star credits with helping her to cover up patches of psoriasis.

Essentially, the way that Jamil's eczema interplays with her Ehlers Danlos causes patches of pigment loss on her limbs – and this is not something that she believes she needs a new make-up item to 'fix.'

In her Instagram post, she said: 'I have such severe eczema all over that my legs are covered in huge patches of pigment loss from scratching.

'I have a tonne [sic] of stretch marks, and because I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, *every* time I cut, I scar. I *refuse* to have these normal human marks weaponised [sic] against me,' she tweeted.

'[Body makeup] is a nightmare for your clothes, furniture, bedsheets, bank account, especially if you are tall or curvy, as you need so much extra, it’s time consuming to put on and take off,' she continued. 'It clogs pores, can make some skin conditions worse and is based on a Photoshop ideal of a woman.'

FYI: Jameela didn't call anyone out directly in the posts, but she did tweet 'hard pass' at a video for the launch of Kardashian's new KKW Beauty Body Collection – which includes the body make-up.

I want to know more about Jameela's Ehlers Danlos syndrome. What is it?

Consultant dermatologist Dr. Anjali Mahto tells WH: 'This is a rare, inherited condition that affects connective tissue which can cause fragile or stretchy skin, easy bruising, and joint hyper mobility. There are many different types and treatment of symptoms usually requires input from multiple specialists.'

Overall, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome affects about one in 5,000 people, worldwide, per the Genetic Home Reference (GHR), and is typically caused by a gene mutation and can be inherited. There's no treatment for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, but management techniques can help those with the disease limit symptoms.

The classic symptoms include:

• Loose joints

• Fragile skin
  

• Skin that bruises easily

• Muscle pain and fatigue

Think you could be dealing with it? Then head to your GP for a chat.

Now you know about Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, here's what you need to know about vulvodynia.

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