What is Lauren Wasser’s Toxic Shock Syndrome, which causes her legs to be amputated?

The covers of glossy magazines stopped publishing the “ideal of unattainable beauty,” shifting the focus to body positivity and body neutrality. Shots showing skin texture, stretch marks, and even cellulite aren’t unusual for us anymore, but Lauren Wasser, the new cover of French Elle’s “girl with the golden legs,” has surprised many. Her story began in 2012 when the model lost her legs early in her career due to toxic shock syndrome while using tampons. What do you need to know about this syndrome and what symptoms should you see a doctor for?

There is no need to panic and give up on tampons. According to statistics, toxic shock syndrome develops in approximately 3 (0.003%) out of 100 thousand women who use tampons during their menstrual period. It is also seen in women who do not use tampons and those who have had an infection after childbirth, abortion or surgery.

toxic shock syndromeor STSHIt is a rare but very dangerous syndrome. This is intoxication of the body as a result of acute bacterial infection caused by staphylococci and streptococci. These bacteria can be in small amounts in the body without affecting vital functions. But when there are factors that contribute to the growth of these bacteria, their numbers increase rapidly and their toxic waste products become deadly. About half of TSS cases develop in women during menstruation.

Early symptoms of TSS may appear within 48 hours of insertion or removal of the tampon, and late symptoms may persist for up to 20 days. Most often, it develops if a woman uses a very absorbent tampon and does not replace it with a new one in a timely manner (after 6-8 hours). Typical symptoms of the syndrome are:

– increase in body temperature 39 degrees;

– drop in blood pressure;

– rashes on the body;

– increased pain in the skin;

– “pain” and pain in the muscles and joints;

– weakness;

– drowsiness;

– nausea and vomiting.

Symptoms rarely occur together, so always monitor your health and call a doctor if you notice a worsening condition.

Why did Lauren Wasser cut off her legs? As a result of the infection, the girl developed gangrene of the lower extremities. The only possible salvation was amputation of the right leg and removal of the toes and heel of the left leg. However, six years later he also had to amputate his second leg – the gangrene had spread too far.

“I spent several months in the hospital and almost a year in a wheelchair. It was easy to give up, but I was determined to keep going.”

Having survived all the difficulties, the girl continued her modeling career and actively urges manufacturers of tampons to stop using dioxin, synthetic fibers, chemical flavors and other harmful ingredients. And in the modeling world she is now called “the girl with the golden legs.”