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Coleen Nolan has revealed she has been diagnosed with a skin condition triggered by the stress of the death of her sister Linda Nolan.
Last month, the Irish singer, who shot to fame with Coleen in family group The Nolans, died aged 65 after being diagnosed with secondary breast cancer.
On Tuesday’s Loose Women, Coleen, 59, said her skin had gone ‘insane’ and she was covered in a ‘terrible’ rash that was ‘so sore and so itchy.’
After her sister died, the ITV presenter said she booked an appointment with a dermatologist who diagnosed her with eczema.
Coleen said she had never suffered from the condition before and the medic attributed it to stress.
On the ITV show, she said: ‘My skin has gone insane.’
Her co-panellist Denise Welch replied: ‘Well you’ve had your fair share of stress.’
Coleen continued: ‘I got a terrible rash all around my middle, it went up my shoulders.
‘It was so sore and so itchy. I’m thinking what is this? It was all over Christmas and New Year.
‘Then obviously when Linda passed, I went to the dermatologist and he’s like “Yeah it’s eczema.”
‘I was like, “I’ve never had eczema in my life!” He said, “No, but you’re very stressed.”
‘And the first place that stress shows itself or any condition is your skin.’
According to the NHS, atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a common skin condition that causes itchy skin, with symptoms including dryness, itchiness, blistering and redness.
The public health body said the main treatments were moisturising creams and steroid lotions.
After her sister’s death, Coleen posted a moving tribute on Instagram that read: ‘I am utterly devastated by the passing of my sister, Linda.
‘Linda was a beacon of love, kindness, and strength. Her wit, humour and laughter was infectious, her presence could light up any room.
‘Linda had a heart full of compassion and always knew how to bring comfort and joy to those around her.
‘Her memory will live on in the many lives she touched, and while we will miss her more than words can express, we take solace in the love and warmth she shared with all of us. Rest in peace, Linda. You will forever be in our hearts.’
Linda was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and, after six years of treatment, was told she was cancer-free in 2011.
But in 2017, tumours were found in her hip bone and pelvis, leading to another diagnosis of incurable secondary breast cancer. The same condition contributed to her sister Bernie’s death at age 52 in 2013.
Her sister Anne was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in 2020 just days after Linda was told her cancer had spread to her liver.
The sisters went through chemotherapy together and Anne eventually went into remission as Linda continued to receive palliative treatment for her terminal condition.
Loose Women airs weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV.
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