A MUM’s toothache and three unusual "black dots” under her jaw turned out to be a flesh-eating bug that brutally ravaged the skin on her neck.

Madelein Carelse, 42, was given the shocking news when her dentist in South Africa told her "something is seriously wrong" after her face painfully swelled and she developed an abscess near a tooth.

A fundraising page on Facebook, set up by worried pals, explains that Madelein's husband Jacques initially took her to a doctor, who prescribed antibiotics and strong pain pills.

Charlotte Rossouw added: "However, her face continued to swell and three small black dots appeared on the left side of her neck under the jaw."

She took a turn for the worse, with the swelling "becoming redder and then black" as Madelein struggled to breathe.

After being rushed to hospital, the mum was later diagnosed with a "flesh-eating bug" bacteria, necrotising fasciitis, which literally eats away at the soft tissue of the body and spreads rapidly.

It is extremely rare and occurs in only one-in-1,000 cases in western Europe.

RISK TO ORGANS

To save her life, doctors at Sebokeng Hospital in Vanderbijlpark had to cut away all of the infected tissue in order to stop the bacteria from infecting her vital organs.

However, Madelein – who is in severe pain – now needs plastic surgery in order to rebuild her face and ravaged neck.

But the woman has no health insurance, and so her mate Annemarie van Antwerpen started a fundraising campaign.

Annemarie said: "We would like to move her to a private hospital, as we are concerned that the wound appears to be turning septic.

"We would also like her to undergo reconstructive surgery, which will require a plastic surgeon."

A fundraising campaign on Facebook, called We Care For You Madelein Club, has also been established by friends to help with the treatment costs.

SKIN TRANSPLANT

Pal Charlotte Rossouw explains on the page that she needs better wound care, as it "has a smell and can be clearly seen on the photos showing how the wound fluid exits.

"Our concern is that the bacteria can re-emerge.

"According to the nursing staff, they do not have the necessary equipment as well as patches to care for the wound.

"Our feeling is that Madelein must be transferred to private hospital as soon as possible, where there are staff who know [more about] patient care, as well as doctors with the necessary knowledge to make decisions, which will be the next step in terms of reconstruction and then skin transplant if necessary."

Charlotte said the fund was "established to enable Madelein to be treated with dignity and good medical care.

Most read in World News

UAE PRINCE DEAD Emir of Sharjah's fashion designer son Khalid Qasimi dies in London aged 39

LIZARD DARE DEATH Man who 'ate gecko at a party' dies 10 days later in 'absolute agony'

GRAN RAPED Monster, 23, rapes gran, 59, in park then congratulates her saying 'good job'

"There is a long way to [go for] reconstruction surgery and skin grafting for her and her emotional state is also at a low.

"Any form of donation will be appreciated, even with sponsors or donations or suggestions and advice."

Donations can be made by visiting the We Care For You Madelein Club Facebook page.

Source: Read Full Article