Skateboarding in the streets can be dangerous. Yes, you can break a bone, bop your head, or get a sprain, but even worse, you can also get an infection like the flesh-eating disease. Rx Bearings knows because David Boots got it twice in Peace Park. Once in 2004, and again in 2014. Here is what you need to know to avoid loosing a limb or your life.

Streptococcus bacteria usually live harmlessly on the skin or in the throat. However, certain kinds, like Streptococcus pyogenes, can cause serious infections if they enter the body through a cut or wound. In rare cases, they can lead to necrotizing fasciitis, also known as “flesh-eating disease.”

The first time Boots was infected, the bacteria got in with a small shard of glass on the palm of his left hand. It then released toxins into his arm destroying his tissue and blocking his blood flow, leading to an infection that started spreading quickly up his arm.

Even with intravenous treatment, the flesh-eating disease kills 1 in 4 people, and if untreated, it can kill you within a few hours. The best way to protect yourself is to disinfect open wounds with iodine or 60% ethanol alcohol. Hydrogen peroxide can kill Streptococcus pyogenes, but it’s not recommended for large, open wounds. Keep open wounds clean and bandaged, and keep your hands clean. If you can’t wash your hands, use Skanitizer or hand sanitizer that has an alcohol concentration of at least 60%.

Fortunately, Boots knew the early signs of the flesh-eating disease and rushed to the hospital both times. The first time in 2004, he noticed an intense pain in his hand, and within ten minutes, redness and inflammation crept up his arm to his elbow. By the time, he got to the hospital, the swelling was past his elbow. Had the infection reached his armpit he would have died. The infections would have reached his heart and get instantly pumped throughout his body ensuring death.

To help you protect yourself, here are some early signs you should be aware of.

Early symptoms

• A red, warm, or swollen area of skin that spreads quickly.
• Pain that hurts more than you think it should, based on the size of the infection.
• Sometimes, symptoms can include a fever.

As the infection worsens, the skin may look bruised, black, or blistered due to tissue death. These changes usually happen in more advanced stages but may appear early.

If you experience these early symptoms, you should seek immediate medical attention.

Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for any symptoms or health concerns. Neither the author nor the company is liable for outcomes related to the information provided here. If you suspect necrotizing fasciitis, seek immediate medical attention.