What happened to Wez Aldridge after his holiday scratch?

Wez Aldridge developed severe cellulitis and blood poisoning from a leg scratch, leading to extreme swelling and intense pain.

What is lipodermatosclerosis and how is it related?

Lipodermatosclerosis is an inflammatory condition that can cause painful leg swelling and may require amputation, a consequence of the infection Aldridge contracted.

What medical advice did doctors give regarding the leg infection?

Doctors warned that if the infection spread to the knee, amputation of the leg would be necessary.

Home / Health / Leg Rot Horror: Holiday Scratch Turns Deadly

Leg Rot Horror: Holiday Scratch Turns Deadly

13 Feb

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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.

Leg Rot Horror: Holiday Scratch Turns Deadly

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.