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Leg Rot Horror: Holiday Scratch Turns Deadly
13 Feb
Summary
- A small leg scratch from Spain led to a severe bacterial infection.
- Doctors warned of amputation if infection spread to the knee.
- The condition, lipodermatosclerosis, causes painful leg swelling.
A holiday in Spain took a terrifying turn for Wez Aldridge, 38, when a minor scratch on his leg escalated into a severe bacterial infection. The incident occurred in February 2023 while on holiday in Tenerife. What seemed like an insignificant graze on pool steps quickly developed into cellulitis and blood poisoning upon his return to Manchester.
Doctors at Royal Oldham Hospital provided a stark warning: if the infection progressed to his knee, amputation would be necessary. Aldridge described his leg swelling to an alarming degree, experiencing intense pain and developing blisters. This harrowing experience has left him with lipodermatosclerosis, an inflammatory condition.
This condition, also known as 'Champagne bottle leg', causes significant limb swelling and can result in painful flare-ups. Aldridge has faced hospitalizations for these flare-ups and now lives with the constant worry of potential future amputation, urging others to seek immediate medical attention for even minor grazes.
