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Man v. Food's Adam Richman 'almost died from MRSA moustache follicle infection'

Adam Richman developed a deadly infection in his moustache. (PA)
Adam Richman developed a deadly infection in his moustache. (PA)

Man v. Food star Adam Richman has told how he almost died from a dangerous MRSA infection that began in his moustache.

The actor and foodie presented the first four seasons of Man v. Food, which saw him travel around American cities sampling local delicacies and taking on eating challenges.

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In an interview with podcast Celebrity Catch Up: Life After That Thing I Did, Richman, 48, explained how a seemingly minor skin complaint had quickly turned deadly in 2018.

At the time, the TV star had been working at an event for Michelin in Zurich and recalled: “One of my moustache follicles just looked like a pimple and it was just not healing well.

Adam Richman attending the House of Fraser BAFTA TV Awards 2016 at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday 8th May 2016. See PA Story SHOWBIZ Bafta. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire
Adam Richman fell ill in 2018. (PA Wire)

"I’d gone to a doctor and then eventually my lip inflated like a banana - it was grotesque. I remember I went to tear a piece of medical tape and I couldn't get to my teeth.”

Richman said that he had to be quarantined and needed surgery and “serious courses of antibiotics” to tackle the infection.

MRSA is a bacteria superbug that can be difficult to treat because of its resistance to most antibiotics, meaning it can lead to sepsis and even death.

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His infection was especially worrying because of where it was, as he explained: “I found out from maxillofacial surgeons that the area from the inside of your eyes to the outer corner of your lips, they call it the ‘danger triangle’ because there's multiple opportunities for a surface infection to go intracranial.”

Adam Richman attends Oyster Bash presented by Barnegat Oyster Collective sponsored by Modelo hosted by Adam Richman during Food Network & Cooking Channel New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One at The Standard High Line on October 17, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for NYCWFF)
The TV star said he feels grateful to be alive. (Getty Images for NYCWFF)

Richman said that he still didn't know how he'd caught the infection: “The doctor said it could have been anything from a water glass to a hotel towel, shaking someone's hand and then invariably [touching my face]. There's any number of ways.

“At the moment, it never felt like ‘you're going to die’ - it was never something that they posited, but it was always sort of understood. I think they didn't want to freak me out.”

But he added that the scary incident had made him grateful to be alive.

He said: “Gratitude is the attitude because fate, God, disease, the higher power of your choice can take it away just like that. Every day above ground is a gift.”

Watch: How Adam Richman got his health back on track after Man v. Food