Gippsland Ulcers (Bairnsdale Ulcers) I Wish I Hadn't Googled !!!!

After only two hours sleep last night, I woke up with my fingers and hands in such severe pain and swelling......
So I decided to Google it....(Not a good idea)
According to the "Better Health Channel" website here in Victoria, "Gippsland Ulcer" or better known as "Bairnsdale Ulcer" is a skin disease caused by the bacterium "Mycobacterium Ulcerans (MU)". The toxins made by the bacteria destroy skin cells, small blood vessels (capillaries) and subcutaneous fat, which leads to ulceration and skin loss. These bacteria are found naturally in the environment, but the mode of infection to humans is unknown.
The Bairnsdale Ulcer is not thought to be contagious, and is a rare infection.
So I then compared my symptoms,
The progression of symptoms can include:

• A spot that looks like a mosquito bite forms on the skin..(Yes that's what mine did!)
• A spot that grows bigger over days or weeks...(Yes!!)
• The spot may form a crusty, non-healing scab...(Yes!!)
• The scab that disintegrates into an ulcer...(Yes!!)
• The ulcer continues to enlarge...(Yes!!)
• Unlike other ulcers, this ulcer is usually painless...(MINE CERTAINLY ARE!!)
• There is generally no fever or other signs of infection...(Yes!!)
• The limbs are more commonly affected...(Yes!!)

And then I went on to read the treatment options!!!!

Since the ulcer gets bigger with time, early diagnosis and prompt treatment can keep the amount of skin loss to a minimum. The first line of treatment is generally surgery to cut away the dead skin...Arrgghhhh..... A surrounding portion of tissue is also cut out to make sure the infection is completely removed. Depending on the extent of surgery, skin grafts may be needed close to the wound.

Sometimes the ulceration can return after surgery, which means another operation is required....Arrgghhhh.....

I won't write anymore as the prognosis is not good!!!! If you would like to know more.... Which I don't !!!!

The link is:

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Bairnsdale_ulcer?OpenDocument

Has anyone else regretted googling about a medical condition???? Because I really do wish I hadn't !!!!