North Carolina Man Develops Flesh-Eating Bacterial Infection After Beach Outing
A relaxing trip to a North Carolina beach turned into a nightmare for 53-year-old Greg Coleman after he cut his thumb on a piece of wire buried in the sand, leading to a serious flesh-eating bacterial infection.
Coleman was at Topsail Beach, attempting to create a wire strainer for his wife, who enjoys hunting for prehistoric shark teeth commonly found in the area.
While constructing the tool, Coleman sustained several cuts and scrapes but thought nothing of them. However, two days after his beach visit on August 18, he noticed that a cut on his thumb “blew up and got very, very sore.”
Unfortunately, Coleman soon found himself rushing to the hospital with a drug-resistant bacterial infection that necessitated amputation of the tip of his thumb.
Greg Coleman at Topsail Beach, North Carolina, where he sustained a small cut that worsened.
Describing the progression of his condition, he said, “The infection started to run up my arm to my shoulder.” Increasingly concerned, he sought medical advice, initially via a virtual consultation, which resulted in a prescription for antibiotics despite no definitive diagnosis.
When the pain escalated, Coleman visited urgent care on August 22, receiving an injection of antibiotics and additional pills. Just two days later, he was admitted to the emergency room where he was placed on intravenous antibiotics.
Coleman suspects he contracted MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), a drug-resistant bacterium that likely entered his bloodstream through the minor cut on his thumb. However, as the hospital did not perform a culture test, it remains uncertain if MRSA was indeed the cause of his infection.
MRSA infections typically begin at sites of cuts or broken skin, presenting initially as painful bumps that can quickly escalate into red, swollen areas filled with pus. Severe cases can lead to complications such as pneumonia, sepsis, and even death.
After trying 11 different antibiotics, Coleman found most of the infection cleared up about a month later. However, in late September, he experienced more severe symptoms when the bacteria invaded his thumb bone, necessitating surgery to remove the infected tissue.
Coleman’s wound is mostly healed, but he remains cautious about future beach outings.
While Coleman did not lose his entire thumb, he is left with a divot at the tip. He now reports that the wound is mostly healed and the infection is nearly cleared up, but he plans to be more careful during future visits to the beach.
He shared, “I heard about another lady who had a scratch on her leg that also got infected with MRSA after visiting the same beach.” He reflects on his past experiences in more rural settings, expressing disbelief at how a minor injury in a first-world country escalated so dramatically.
MRSA is not the only bacteria of concern on U.S. beaches. The vibrio vulnificus bacterium, known for causing flesh-eating infections, has been detected at various locations along the Eastern seaboard, including Long Island and Florida.
Last summer, vibrio cases surged, impacting several individuals across North Carolina, New York, and Connecticut. The majority of exposures were linked to contact with natural bodies of water.
To reduce the risk of bacterial infections at the beach, Dr. Lisa Plano from the University of Miami recommends showering before and after water exposure and avoiding the beach entirely if open wounds are present.
Discussion with Experts
Expert Panel
To shed more light on bacterial infections at beaches and preventative measures, we spoke with three experts: Dr. Lisa Plano, an infectious disease specialist; Dr. Jason Brown, a microbiologist; and Dr. Mary Hill, a public health researcher.
Dr. Lisa Plano:
“It’s crucial that people take proper precautions, especially if they have cuts and scrapes. Showering can help wash away harmful bacteria.”
Dr. Jason Brown:
“MRSA is a growing concern, not just in hospitals but in community settings as well. Awareness and education on avoiding risks are essential.”
Dr. Mary Hill:
“Our beaches should be safe for everyone, but climate change and pollution may be exacerbating these issues; it’s essential to monitor water quality and pathogens.”
What are your thoughts on the potential dangers lurking on beaches? Have you or someone you know ever faced a similar situation? We encourage our readers to share their experiences in the comments below.