Man with new tattoo dies from flesh-eating bacteria after swimming

People heading to tattoo parlours have been warned after a man died following the contraction of a deadly flesh-eating bug.

The unnamed 31-year-old had a pair of hands praying and a crucifix inked on his leg, the Daily Record reports.

Experts usually advise that people with new tattoos should wait at least two weeks before entering pools or sea water due to the risk of infection.

But the man allegedly had a dip in the sea in the Gulf of Mexico only five days afterwards.

According to a British Medical Journal report, the day after his swim the man developed a high temperature and red rash close to the site of the tattoo.

As his condition deteriorated he was admitted to hospital where doctors raised concerns about his symptoms.

His limb was swollen and had patches of discoloured skin which had turned purple – a common symptom of infection.

Doctors confirmed he had contracted vibrio vulnificus, a rapidly progressive bacterial infection that causes pain, swelling, redness within a matter of hours.

The fatal infection can also cause blistering and disfiguring skin lesions, often leading to amputation.

Those with a weakened immune system are most susceptible to catching the bug, but certain lifestyles can also increase likelihood.

The man was already suffering from cirrhosis of the liver caused by years of heavy drinking.

Just a day after being taken into hospital, his organs began to fail and the he was put on a life support machine.

He developed septic shock and cellulitis – an infection of the skin and the underlying tissue.

He eventually succumbed to the infection after the sepsis caused his kidneys to fail, two months after initially being admitted to hospital.

Vibrio vulnificus which is related to Cholera and is usually found in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and is more commonly contracted when eating infected shellfish.

Among healthy people, ingestion of the bacteria can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.

But those with a compromised immune system, particularly those with liver disease it can be life threatening.

Wound infections have a mortality rate of 25% if caught early enough.