Amy Winehouse's Impetigo: Crusty Bacterial Rash To Blame For Face Woes, Says Spokeswoman

Grammy-winning Amy Winehouse was spotted in London with a swollen, lumpy left cheek and concealer-covered bruising. Her spokeswoman is claiming impetigo:

Amy's spokesman told the News of the World: "Amy has been diagnosed with impetigo which she's been told can be highly contagious. Because of that se's been put on antibiotics and may have to stay home alone for the next few days."

Impetigo is an infection of the skin caused by a bacteria which causes a blistered crusty rash. But it does not cause swelling.

Dr Hilary Jones agreed and speculated on other causes of such swelling and bruising:

"I think the most likely explanation is a direct blow, either accidental or deliberate. A skin complaint wouldn't cause swelling."

"It could be she's walked into a door or fallen over--which is very likely with her drug habit."

It has been reported that Winehouse is back on drugs following a pre-Grammy stint in rehab.

Read about impetigo on Mayo Clinic's website.

Comments

[Marylee]

02:54 PM on 03/08/2008

She's going through some hard times, but my goodness, bless her heart she's looking bad.
I love her voice though, we are all hopping she'll get better.

[Longdream]

05:14 PM on 03/06/2008

Amy, Amy, Amy!

I love her. She's such a talent!

I HATE this. I want her to straighten out and be happy. I crave more of her music.

[Harrier]

02:57 AM on 03/06/2008

With so many people either terminally ill or severely disabled, to see this lady abuse herself so badly is truly ashame. so young with so much to live for. I would imagine if you could ask any dead person who died under 40 if they would give up their fame to live another 50 years drug free and start all over again, the would all accept. It seems this lady is killing herself. I wish her well, but I just don't see her managing to live much longer

[KarenZipdrive]

08:19 PM on 03/05/2008

A staph infection can cause swelling like that. And you can get one by using needles to inject drugs.
It may sound cruel, but I hope it was a punch or a fall that caused her face to swell...easier to heal from that.

[WilliePilgrim]

01:08 PM on 03/05/2008

Only hug clean comodes!

[imsosure]

06:31 AM on 03/05/2008

In layman's terms that means falling down drunk are bumped into something.

[Felicty]

12:08 PM on 03/05/2008

Made famous by our illustrious president and his struggles with Pretzels of Mass Destruction.

[ElkoJohn]

02:05 AM on 03/05/2008

`
in the tradition of Janis Joplin, et al. . . (RIP)
.

[rodeman]

09:38 PM on 03/04/2008

Get thee to a nunnery.

[MrKnuckles]

06:43 PM on 03/04/2008

That's funny... I thought her face WAS an infection!

[kipmartin]

05:51 PM on 03/04/2008

yeah, HuffPo is a trailer park at times. i wonder what Arriana thinks about these posts? she probably doesnt even see them. id like to believe if she didm, shed put a stop to it.

[BigLib]

12:38 AM on 03/05/2008

She encourages them. It's what pays her mortgage.

[SweetTart]

04:31 PM on 03/04/2008

I swear, if this girl makes it to age 30, it will be a miracle. She's totally messed up.

[Ariadne]

04:08 PM on 03/04/2008

Can't the poor thing afford a few staff people who could help her keep herself clean. I always thought that rich and famous drug addicts were able to compensate better than the average crack whore.

[Dannydel]

08:54 AM on 03/04/2008

This whole Winehouse affair could end badly.

[vandegrasse]

02:09 AM on 03/04/2008

Why are musicians so screwed up. They have so much to give to the world.

[grisgris]

02:55 PM on 03/05/2008

Not ALL musicians are "screwed up".

[ErrinF]

06:25 PM on 03/03/2008

whatever gets the publicity. the machine goes on...