University Student's Rare Illness Leads to Devastating Tooth Loss
Elouise Harris, a 20-year-old university student, has heartbreakingly revealed that her teeth are falling out due to a rare chronic illness, shattering her self-esteem and subjecting her to cruel online trolls and misjudgment from peers. In an exclusive interview, she shared how this condition has left her feeling miserable and humiliated, with many wrongly labeling her as a former drug addict or someone who neglects dental hygiene.
The Emotional and Physical Toll of PoTS
Elouise, who hails from Ilkeston, Derby, but resides in Leeds while studying performance and digital art, was diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) at age 12. This condition causes her heart rate to race excessively, leading to symptoms such as extreme exhaustion, fainting, and seizures. Over the last nine months, her autoimmune condition has severely worsened, rendering her largely bedbound and forcing her to move her studies entirely online.
She described her daily struggles, stating, "My confidence has taken a huge dive. I don't think I've felt pretty since it started. The tooth loss not only affects my smile and speech, giving me a lisp, but I can't eat properly, leading to a two-stone weight loss. I look pale and skinny all the time, and the stress has thinned my hair. Genuinely, I don't think I have been this miserable ever before."
Tooth Loss as a Symptom and Social Stigma
The most devastating symptom for Elouise has been the loss of her teeth, which began in August 2025. Her first tooth fell out in November, followed by a second weeks later, with two more front teeth expected to fall out soon. She expressed frustration over the lack of representation for young people with missing teeth, noting that official dental materials often only feature elderly individuals.
Elouise faced immediate judgment from others, "All I had was questions like, 'Have you hit your head?' or 'Do you have a hygiene issue?' I've had incidents at university where people joked that I'm an ex-drug addict or must smoke heavily. It's humiliating to have people outwardly ask if I don't brush my teeth."
Fundraising for a Life-Changing Solution
With no cure for PoTS, treatment options are limited to managing symptoms with steroids or heart medications. Elouise is desperate to replace her loose teeth with implants, but the cost in the UK is prohibitive at up to £3,000 per tooth. As a low-income student unable to work due to her condition, she turned to fundraising, setting up a GoFundMe page after advice from her university tutor.
She aims to raise £2,500 to get the procedure done in Romania, where her stepmother is from, and recently received an anonymous donation of £500, boosting her hopes. Elouise emphasized the transformative impact this would have, saying, "Once I get my teeth sorted, I am going to have my life back! I'll be able to eat, take my medication, sleep better, and leave my house again. It will just make everything better."
Her story highlights the challenges faced by young people with rare illnesses and the importance of empathy and support in overcoming social stigma.
