A 49- year- old man from Ernakulam, Kerala, is recovering from a harrowing medical ordeal after contracting a rare and aggressive bacterial infection following a hair transplant. Sanil, who opted for the cosmetic procedure to treat his receding hairline, found himself battling necrotising fasciitis— a flesh- eating bacterial infection— after undergoing multiple surgeries at a local clinic.

Sanil underwent his initial hair transplant in February. The procedure, aimed at restoring lost hair by transplanting follicles from a donor site on the scalp, is generally considered safe with a very low infection rate— less than 1%. However, in Sanil' s case, complications arose quickly. Within a day, he experienced severe pain at the site of surgery. The attending doctor reportedly prescribed painkillers and steroids, but his condition did not improve.

Concerned by the worsening symptoms, Sanil sought a second opinion. Further tests revealed he was suffering from necrotising fasciitis— a life- threatening condition that causes tissue death and can spread rapidly if not treated with immediate surgical intervention and potent antibiotics.

To combat the infection, Sanil had to endure 13 additional surgeries, including skin grafts. Portions of his skull are still exposed, and ongoing treatment is necessary to heal the wounds fully. He now relies on a portable vacuum device to drain pus from the infected area. The physical impact has been devastating, but so too has the emotional toll. Sanil describes his experience as a " living nightmare. "