Strange and embarrassing celebrity afflictions

Bunions

A bunion is a deformity of the bone between the big toe and the foot which can become very painful. Experts blame inappropriate footwear and genetic factors. The only treatment for the deformity is surgery.

Victoria Beckham is a celebrity sufferer whose bunions can't be helped by her love of high heels.

Clubbed thumbs

A clubbed thumb is a term used to describe the genetic clubbing of one or both thumbs. It is characterised by a particularly short thumb that is round in section and bulbous at the end with a short, wide thumb nail.

It could be described as looking more like a toe than a thumb. The scientific term for clubbed thumb is Brachydactyly type D or 'BDD'.

The Transformers actress, Megan Fox, has clubbed thumbs, but it doesn't appear to have held her back.

Acne

Acne affects 85 per cent of teenagers and can continue into adulthood. It develops due to blockages in follicles, but the root causes are not fully known.

Hereditary links, changes in hormone levels and stress all play a part. Treatments available include topical ointments, oral antibiotics and phototherapy.

Some of the biggest and brightest names in Hollywood have battled acne, including Britney Spears and Victoria Beckham, while Brad Pitt still bears the scars from his teenage acne.

Hair loss

Hair is associated with health and vitality, but what happens when it starts to fall out? Hair loss is usually hereditary, a reaction to intense stress on the body's physical or hormonal systems, or a reaction to medication.

The drug minoxidil was found to thicken hair growth in some, but not all, people. Hair transplants are also an option for some.

Celebrity hair loss sufferers include Gail Porter - an alopecia sufferer who has done much to publicise the condition - and Bruce Willis.

Bad teeth

The English are renowned for their discoloured, chipped, misaligned and down-right ugly teeth.

And while it can be expensive to procure a perfect set of gnashers, celebrites really don't have that excuse. Check out Pete Doherty. Very Austin Powers.

Rosacea

Rosacea is a chronic condition characterised by redness on the face, but don't panic, unless it affects the eyes, it is a harmless cosmetic condition. Treatment usually involves topical medications to reduce inflammation.

Doctors don't know what causes it, but certain factors are known to exacerbate the condition, including stress, hot and cold weather, sunlight and diet - which actress Lisa Faulkner has discovered to her cost.

She told NOW magazine: 'I really love chillis and curries, but spicy food makes my skin worse, as does drinking champagne, which is a bit annoying!

'I try not to have too much of any of these, but I haven't cut them out completely.'

Supernumerary nipple

Also known as a 'third nipple' it is an additional nipple occurring in mammals, including humans. Often mistaken for moles, supernumerary nipples are diagnosed at a rate of 1 in 18 humans.

Lily Allen proudly displayed hers on The Friday Night Project in 2007.