Latest news with #infection
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
She Wanted a Tattoo to Honor Her Late Brother. It Landed Her in the ICU
Quiniece Washburn wanted to honor her late brother after he died of an overdose, as the two were "pretty close" when they were growing up She got a portrait of his face on her leg, "so I knew that he would be with me," but the tattoo became painfully infected, causing her to need treatment in the ICU She's warning others to be careful about the cleanliness of their tattoo shop, as the experience was "traumatizing"A woman who wanted to honor her late brother with a tattoo of his face ended up with a dangerous infection — and a scar where his portrait should be. Quiniece Washburn said she and her brother were 'pretty close' growing up, according to Daily Mail. After her brother died of an overdose, the 36-year-old mom of two shared that she 'wanted to get the tattoo so I knew that he would be with me.' She researched a tattoo artist online and paid $350 for a portrait of her brother on her left calf. But as she told the outlet, she felt a painful, burning sensation while getting inked. When the tattoo artist was finished and wiped the tattoo down — a common practice, as tattoos can ooze blood and ink — Washburn said the tattoo leaked more than what's usually expected. Her tattoo began to form blisters, leaking fluid, she said. 'I could stick a white paper towel on the tattoo and the whole picture would be on it,' she explained. Washburn said it began to cause significant pain. 'When it got worse, I was having to drag my leg to walk, and I was limping. It was a horrible time for me. The pain was traumatizing, and it was upsetting because it was the face of my brother,' she shared. Washburn went to the hospital 10 times for intravenous antibiotics — until her condition grew so severe that she needed to be admitted to the ICU. That's when she was diagnosed with a devastating case of cellulitis. It's a skin infection caused by bacteria that enters the skin through a cut or crack, the Mayo Clinic explains. While there, doctors treated the infection, which she described as 'green infected stuff oozing out of me.' 'The hospital never said it was from dirty products, and I watched [the tattoo artist] unpack my needles, but people say if the [tattoo] gun isn't properly wiped, then that can cause infection,' Washburn, who wonders if 'someone else's fluids may still have been on the gun," explained. Aggressive antibiotic treatment helped clear up the infection, but Washburn said her tribute to her late brother is 'pretty ruined.' 'It has a lot of scar tissue on it and it's cracked. His face doesn't look the same at all, and it's kind of dark. I've been told not to touch it for a year, so I'm going to leave it as it is,' Washburn said. She added that the tattoo artist refunded her money and gave her $200 after learning what had happened. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. She's sharing her ordeal to warn others. 'I'd tell people to watch your tattoo artist and make sure everything is clean,' Washburn told the outlet, calling the experience, 'traumatizing.' Read the original article on People
The Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Biggest mistake when treating a wound is letting it ‘dry out', TV doc says
THE biggest mistake when treating a wound is letting it 'dry out' – which could lead to needing professional treatment, expert reveals. TV medic, Dr Zoe, highlighted the dangers of believing what she claims is the biggest myth in wound care. 2 2 If left uncovered, even tiny cuts can get infected and activities where it will get wet such as showering or swimming can cause the skin to swell. This not only impairs wound closure, but bacteria and germs can penetrate the body and cause infection. The insights come as a poll of 2,000 adults, commissioned by Elastoplast, found 42 per cent are under the impression letting a wound breathe is the best way for it to heal. But Dr Zoe said leaving a graze to air increases the likelihood of infection and instead recovers quickly if they are in a moist, clean environment, which also helps reduce scarring. Dr Zoe said: 'Even small or seemingly insignificant wounds benefit from being covered, but of course it's also important to clean a graze beforehand. 'Protecting a wound with a dressing can be supported by using a healing ointment or using a hydrocolloid plaster which allows the cut to maintain a moist environment and offer benefits including improved pain relief and longer wear. 'This is not only important for rapid healing, but also to minimise scarring." The research also found only 14 per cent of those polled think wounds should be kept moist to heal faster and a fifth (20 per cent) do typically let a wound air before covering it. Other mistakes Brits have made include using the incorrect plaster size (34 per cent), despite 84 per cent feeling confident knowing what type to use. A further 27 per cent have touched a wound before washing their hands and 47 per cent have picked at a scab - which Dr Zoe warned can delay the healing process. Almost a fifth (19 per cent) have had a seemingly harmless graze which resulted in scarring, while others have experienced infection (17 per cent) and swelling (16 per cent). The situations in which adults have gained a wound include doing indoor DIY work (39 per cent) and hiking or walking (27 per cent). Others have experienced injury when cycling or mountain biking (19 per cent) and playing team sports (23 per cent), according to the OnePoll data. A spokesperson for Elastoplast, which has launched Second Skin Protection plasters, said: "Treating a small wound might seem simple, but it's crucial to follow the right steps to avoid infection and scarring. 'The insights show how public perceptions often differ from expert advice, which may explain why some people have gone on to develop complications like scarring or infection. 'We want to ensure people feel confident and prepared for treating wounds in all situations, whether they're being adventurous outdoors, exploring as a family or going about daily life. 'Being prepared makes all the difference.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Outbreak of potentially deadly disease grows as authorities scramble to identify the source
An outbreak of the potentially deadly Legionnaires' disease has grown, with two more Australians testing positive as authorities struggle to find the source. Potts Point residents, in inner-Sydney, have been warned they are most at risk of contracting the disease after two more locals were diagnosed in the past two weeks. This brings the total number of those infected since mid-May to five. Four of those cases required hospitalisation. The five who caught the infection do not know each other. The disease can be contracted when bacteria from environmental sources, such as cooling towers on top large buildings, become contaminated. South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Public Health Unit director Dr Vicky Sheppeard said the unit was working with the City of Sydney to find the source of the infections. 'People can be exposed to the bacteria if contaminated water particles from a cooling system are emitted into the air and breathed in,' Dr Sheppeard said. 'Legionnaires' disease can develop up to 10 days after exposure. 'Symptoms include fever, chills, a cough and shortness of breath and may lead to severe chest infections such as pneumonia. 'People who develop this disease are diagnosed by a urine or sputum test and chest X-ray and usually require antibiotic treatment in hospital.' Last week, NSW Health and City of Sydney environmental health officers examined and sampled all cooling towers and water fountains within 500m of the five infected residents' homes and asked all managers of cooling water systems to disinfect their systems. The bacteria was not found in any of the samples. Public Health Unit and City of Sydney staff returned to the area on Tuesday to search for unregistered cooling water systems and other potential sources of Legionella. Two Sydney residents have died from the disease this year. While serious, it is treatable with antibiotics, but can be fatal if people don't seek medical help. Legionnaires' disease is more dangerous for people with compromised immune systems or underlying health conditions. Those most at risk include people over the age of 50, people with chronic lung conditions, smokers, individuals on immunosuppressive medications and cancer and diabetes sufferers. The disease is normally contracted by inhaling contaminated water droplets or aerosolised water. In August, an outbreak in Melbourne traced to a cooling tower, led to more than 100 cases and the deaths of two people. NSW Health said anyone who was in the Sydney CBD during March and April and is experiencing symptoms should seek immediate medical attention. One patient was simply driving through Circular Quay when they were infected earlier in the year.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
I almost died getting a tattoo after artist made dangerous mistake... here is my warning to others
A grieving sister seeking to keep her deceased brother near suffered a severe health crisis after her in memoriam tattoo became infected and began oozing green and yellow pus. Quiniece Washburn said her brother died from an overdose and she 'wanted to get the tattoo so I knew that he would be with me.' She added: 'We were pretty close and grew up in the same household, so he and my brothers would look after me.' The 36-year-old mom of two paid $350 to ink her brother's face on her left calf. During the session, she felt a minor burning sensation and experienced some pain when the artist wiped down her tattoo. After leaving the appointment, however, she noticed the tattoo leaking ink. Soon after, it began oozing a bloody and yellow pus, while she developed such severe pain she was forced her to drag her leg behind her as she walked. 'When it got worse, I was having to drag my leg to walk, and I was limping. It was a horrible time for me. The pain was traumatizing, and it was upsetting because it was the face of my brother,' Washburn said. She went to the hospital where she received antibiotics but would wind up needing to return for IV treatments around 10 times before she was finally admitted to the ICU for the infection. There, doctors diagnosed her with bacterial cellulitis, which can cause high fevers, chills, numbness, burning, and a host of other painful effects. Getting treated quickly is crucial to stop cellulitis from spreading and causing serious complications. Doctors often start with antibiotics — either pills, injections, or IV drips for severe infections. In tougher cases, surgery may be needed to drain pus or cut away dead tissue. Washburn said: 'There's a picture where it looks like there's green infected stuff oozing out of me. That was taken while I was in the hospital.' While not exactly sure what the source of the infection was, Washburn said: 'The hospital never said it was from dirty products, and I watched him unpack my needles, but people say if the gun isn't properly wiped, then that can cause infection as well,' she added. 'Someone else's fluids may still have been on the gun.' The most common bacterial infections that can result from a tattoo are Staphylococcus or Streptococcus, which include strains that lead to necrotizing fasciitis (decaying flesh) and toxic shock syndrome. The artist she saw was new to her, but she had done her research and liked his work. But during her session, she felt a burning sensation, especially when the artist wiped his work to clean away excess ink, blood, and plasma (the clear fluid your body leaks when it's injured). When the ink penetrates the skin, a mix of ink and bodily fluids rises to the surface. After Washburn's session with the artist, plasma began leaking from the tattoo more than what is typical. Fluid began to leak beneath the surface of her swollen skin, forming oozing blisters until her brother's face became unrecognizable. 'I could stick a white paper towel on the tattoo and the whole picture would be on it,' she said. After around two weeks of aggressive treatment with oral and IV antibiotics, 'it's pretty ruined.' She added: 'It has a lot of scar tissue on it and it's cracked. His face doesn't look the same at all, and it's kind of dark. 'I've been told not to touch it for a year, so I'm going to leave it as it is.' Ultimately, the artist refunded Washburn the full price of the work and gave her an additional $200. 'I'd tell people to watch your tattoo artist and make sure everything is clean,' she said.
Medscape
20-06-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Clinicians Urge Symptom Awareness, Pre-Screening for Measles
Summary Dr Savoy outlines the clinical presentation of measles and key signs to watch for during evaluation. Measles is an upper respiratory infection with cold or influenza symptoms and a high fever. Within 6 days, a maculopapular rash, sandpaper-like on a reddish base, typically appears, spreading from the head down the body. Koplik spots, small white lesions inside the mouth, are another symptom to recognize. Clinicians are urged to maintain a high index of suspicion and take steps to limit exposure in the office setting. Key Takeaways: When monitoring for measles, upper respiratory symptoms paired with a high fever needs to be on the differential, especially if the patient was traveling. Other symptoms include a maculopapular rash and Koplik spots. Implement infection control practices. Screen out individuals before they come into the office to prevent unnecessary spreading. This is a great time for telemedicine visits. To View Entire Event Recording: WATCH NOW - Measles Resurgence: What Physicians Must Know Now
