Huge holes appear in politician's face

An Australian politician has been treated by a plastic surgeon after two huge holes suddenly appeared in his face.

Newly elected Ross Bohlin will be scarred for life after contracting folliculitis, an infection of his hair folicles. Mr Bohlin said the disease was probably caused by something as simple as friction from his shirt collar.

The MLA for Drysdale was visiting his 68-year-old mother in hospital in Adelaide when his face began swelling alarmingly.



Within two days, his face was bloated by 2.5cm. "I couldn't eat or drink properly," he said. "It was frightening."

Doctors at the Flinders Medical Centre found two infected follicles - one on his jawbone and the other near his mouth. "I was pulling out great strands of puss with tweezers from big cavities," he said. "Believe me, it wasn't nice."

When antibiotics failed to work, Mr Bohlin was admitted to Port Augusta Hospital. The holes were cleaned up under general anaesthetic.