'Heel Blister' from Wearing New Shoes Left Untreated... Led to Leg Amputation

A Minor Blister Leads to Sepsis

A 20-year-old woman who left a blister on her heel untreated after wearing new sneakers has drawn attention after suffering a horrific incident that ultimately led to the amputation of her entire leg.

On the 17th (local time), British media including The Sun reported the story of Charlie Budsell Moore (24), who lives in the English city of Hull. Moore had to have her left leg amputated up to the calf due to a simple blister on her heel.

The blister appeared in January 2021. At the time, Moore, who was enjoying shopping and swimming while wearing newly purchased sneakers, noticed a blister on her foot one day. After a few more days passed, the blister grew larger and began to ooze pus. Moore recalled, "My foot's condition worsened over time," and "the medical staff only said that taking medicine could alleviate it."

Woman who had her leg amputated due to a blister on her heel
[Image source=Captured from The Sun homepage]

Eventually, Moore visited several hospitals for consultations and received medication, but the blister did not subside. It is reported that Moore lived with a limp for nearly three years.

She said, "After years of walking on my toes, I eventually developed sepsis from the infection," and "it reached a life-threatening stage." When the situation escalated to this point, medical staff diagnosed that amputating the left leg where the blister had formed was necessary to prevent the spread of infection.

Moore underwent leg amputation surgery last month and is now living in a wheelchair while waiting for her prosthetic leg. It is reported that fitting the prosthetic will take about three months.

Once active, Moore now needs assistance from others to carry out daily activities. She lamented, "I used to go out every day, swim, and work part-time at KFC, but now I have to rely on my grandmother," adding, "I am also suffering from depression and receiving treatment."

She urged, "This can happen to anyone. What seems like a minor problem can lead to fatal consequences," and advised, "If you notice any abnormalities in your body, seek treatment immediately."

The sepsis that caused Moore's leg amputation is a condition in which the whole body reacts when microorganisms invade the body, affecting major organs. Sepsis can occur for various reasons such as common inflammation, pressure ulcers, pyelonephritis, meningitis, and blisters as well.

Symptoms of sepsis include fever, hypothermia, hypoxia, and hypotension. Especially as the amount of blood supplied to the body decreases, the skin or wound area turns blue, and in severe cases, tissue necrosis occurs. If symptoms are severe, death can occur in a short time, so immediate hospital treatment is necessary if related symptoms appear.