Trigger warning for medical terminology, confronting symptoms, graphic images and talk of amputation.
A trip to the beach, especially with grandkids, should be enjoyable. A little fun in the sun on a warm summer’s day is the perfect way to enjoy January. It shouldn’t end with an infected mosquito bite that almost takes your leg (and your life!).
Sure, Australia is known for having many dangerous animals, some real and some we let the world believe exist (like drop bears!). But now we have to add one more thing to be vigilant about. The common mosquito.
One grandmother’s close call with an infected mosquito bite.
A Sunshine Coast mum was confronted with the grim prospect of having her leg amputated after contracting a severe infection during a swim at local Bulcock Beach. Little Mountain resident Celeste Stirrup took a dip with her five-year-old granddaughter on January 19, and by the following Monday, her health took a turn for the worse. After going to bed with a fever, she woke to a thigh that was hot to the touch.
Not understanding what had caused her health to deteriorate overnight, she quickly became concerned. By Tuesday, her right thigh had developed blisters and become discoloured. Unfortunately, her doctor was fully booked that day, so Celeste took the first available slot the following day and sought medical attention then. Despite being given antibiotics by her doctor, the situation deteriorated further, with her leg taking on a dark purple hue.
“It’s very confronting to have a surgeon tell you that we’ll have to rush you to theatre and possibly amputate the leg,” Celeste
Her condition continued to worsen, and by Australia Day, her blisters had begun to burst. She sought assistance at Caloundra Health Service, eventually requiring an ambulance. Rushed to Sunshine Coast University Hospital, doctors revealed the infection was extreme, suggesting the possibility of amputation.
Finally, a diagnosis
The diagnosis showed Cellulitis, a bacterial infection likely from a scratched mosquito bite. Medical experts clarified that such cases are seasonal and often linked to brackish water, where fresh and saltwater converge, or following rain. Celeste emphasised the absence of warning signs at the beach and urged others to refrain from swimming with open wounds.
Since the incident, Celeste has told Mum Central she has undergone debridement surgery, which involves thoroughly cleaning the wound and removing all thickened or callused skin, infected and dead tissue, foreign debris, and residual material from dressings. She has had one skin graft and is waiting for another.
Look at the difference that the debridement surgery made – her before pic on the left and her after pic on the right. Since then, her leg has been fitted with a negative pressure wound vac to remove any fluid from the wound and initiate healthy tissue growth to raise the wound in readiness for her skin graft next week.
What is Cellulitis?
Primarily occurring on the lower legs, cellulitis is a bacterial infection that results from broken skin following a bug bite. Bacteria that live on the skin can enter through broken skin and cause irritation.
Several types of bacteria can cause cellulitis, the most common being Group A Streptococcus, responsible for strep throat, and Staphylococcus, commonly known as staph. Additionally, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has the potential to induce cellulitis.
What are the symptoms of Cellulitis?
- Pain and tenderness around the bug bite
- Inflammation, redness, and swelling
- Red streaks or spots near the area of the bite
- Skin that feels warm to the touch
- Skin dimpling
More severe Cellulitis symptoms include:
- Fever
- Chills
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Pus or drainage from the bite site
- Blisters
Authorities urged to take action
To raise awareness, Celeste shares her ordeal, highlighting the potential risks. She expressed deep concern for her granddaughter and horror at the thought of her going through such a traumatic event.
After hearing about her ordeal, Celeste was contacted by a woman whose husband had been in hospital with a necrotising (flesh-eating) bacteria on his arm after swimming at a neighbouring beach, Cotton Tree, in December. He has had seven surgeries so far to save his arm.
She’s now on a quest to build awareness and prevent this happening to others.She has contacted Councillor Terry Landsberg’s office from the Sunshine Coast Council to request warning signs be put up at our local beaches and has spoken with the offices of Jason Hunt, State Member for Caloundra, asking them to test the water monthly so this doesn’t happen again.
What should you do if you have symptoms of Cellulitis?
Seek medical help as soon as you can. If left untreated, cellulitis can turn septic. It can spread to your lymph nodes and enter your blood and bones. And, as Celeste discovered, it may require amputation.
How is Cellulitis treated?
Some very mild cases of cellulitis will resolve on their own, thanks to your body’s immune system. Medical professionals will treat the condition with antibiotics and elevate the affected limb to prevent more swelling. Always seek medical advice if unsure.
How can you avoid cellulitis?
If you get bitten by a mosquito, bed bug, flea, bee, ant, etc., you can take a few steps to keep the area clean.
- Don’t scratch. Easier said than done, I know, but giving in to the itch can let nasty bacteria in and turn it into an actual infection. Grab some anti-itch cream or lotion with a numbing agent to take the edge off.
- Wash the bite. Keeping the skin clean lowers the chances of bacteria making a home in the bite. Use soap and water to clean it, and keep doing that once a day until the bite’s gone or scabbed over.
- Slap on some ointment. Petroleum jelly or an antibiotic one. It’ll create a shield over the bite. Antibiotic ointment can help with swelling and inflammation, reducing irritation and itchiness.
- Cover it. Cover it up after washing and covering in ointment to keep the dirt and bacteria away. This will help you stop having a good scratch. Change the bandage daily to keep things clean and lower the risk of an infection.
- Ice it. It’ll numb the skin and might lessen the urge to scratch.
- Keep your nails short and clean. A heap of germs is under them, so trim them and keep them clean.
- Moisturise. All that washing can dry out your skin around the bites. Use a gentle moisturising lotion to keep your skin hydrated and avoid cracks. The best time is right after a bath or shower.
- Keep an eye out for signs of infection. If that bug bite’s turning red and swelling, you might have picked up an infection. Keep an eye on it and yourself. If you start running a fever, getting the chills, or your lymph nodes are swelling, don’t mess about—get yourself to the doctor.
While a nurse mentioned to Celeste that she’d seen four people with this infection this year, not all of them were as severe as what Celeste experienced. Maintaining good hygiene around bite marks, using a bug repellent before going outside, keeping any bites clean, and being vigilant is always sound advice. It’s also a good life lesson for kids on how to handle bug bites and minor infections.
Learn more about cellulitis and download a fact sheet on the Healthdirect Australia website.
