Woman lucky to be alive after infected wisdom tooth put her in a coma

It all started with a mysterious rash and flu-like symptoms. Within days Caitlin’s tongue and throat began to rapidly swell, cutting off her airway. The source of her near-death experience? A tooth.

Caitlin Alsop nearly died during the ordeal.

CAITLIN Alsop was just 23 when a hidden wisdom tooth infection almost killed her.

It all started with a mysterious rash and flu-like symptoms, which the young healthy Gold Coaster didn’t think much of.

But within days Miss Alsop’s tongue and throat began to rapidly swell, cutting off her airway.

She was rushed to the emergency department, where doctors gave her adrenaline, for a suspected allergic reaction, but when her blood pressure plunged, they were forced to put her in an induced coma to investigate.

Caitlin Alsop, 24, has recovered after her close call. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“I kept deteriorating and getting this rash all over the top half of my body, which pretty much burnt my skin from the inside out. My tongue was black from no circulation and they thought they may have to cut it off,” Miss Alsop said.

“Mum was told to prepare for the worst, and the family all came to see me.”

But after several tests doctors discovered Miss Alsop has a rare life-threatening oral infection, Ludwig’s angina, which had spread from an infected wisdom tooth into her jaw.

Oral surgeon, Dr Kemal Akbiyik, said the condition was rare and could be extremely dangerous.

Caitlin Alsop in hospital after her wisdom tooth became infected.

“Ludwig’s angina is a life-threatening condition because it threatens the airway, and patients can die from acute airway obstruction from the swelling it causes,” he said.

“A dental infection can travel to the brain or downwards into the neck, and even into the chest.”

He said it was important to have regular dental checks and not put off having wisdom teeth removed.

Miss Alsop, now 24, has been left with a permanent lisp.

She said the road to recovery had been long and was still continuing, but she was determined to get back to achieving her dream of creating her own app, YesThanks.

“I was scared to go back to the business, and scared to talk with my new lisp,” she said. “It’s ironic that in nearly losing my tongue and my ability to speak, I gained a whole new voice, and an even bigger story to share.”