Does Michael Jackson Look Infected?

02/12/09 6:24pm

by Kate Harper (CHARTattack)

Michael Jackson has a skin infection that could turn into a flesh-eating disease, according to the U.K.'s The Sun tabloid.

The newspaper reports that Jacko is hooked up to an intravenous tube filled with antibiotics so he can beat a staph infection that he may have picked up after having plastic surgery on his nose. The infection is reportedly "severe," resistant to conventional antibiotics and could turn into a flesh-eating disorder if not cured.

"In some worse cases, surgeons will have to remove the infected tissue if it dies — leaving the patient needing major reconstructive surgery," American plastic surgeon Dr. Anthony Youn told The Sun. "It is particularly worrying if it is on the face."

The Sun also reports that Jackson had inflamed skin on his hands and face when he visited a Los Angeles clinic for treatment twice last week.

Jackson was diagnosed with vitiligo in the mid-'80s. The disease causes loss of pigment when skin cells that cause pigmentation die. Jackson's facial structure has changed repeatedly throughout his career and, while many have speculated he's had multiple plastic surgeries, he only admits to having two. He says he's had surgery on his nose so he could breathe better.

Canadian journalist Ian Halperin said late last year that Jackson is suffering from Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency, a genetic disorder that depletes protein protecting the liver and lungs. Jackson's spokesperson denied the reports and said the star was "fine."