Necrotizing fasciitis is an uncommon but serious form of bacterial infection affecting the tissues beneath the skin as well as the bordering muscles and organs.
It is oftentimes called as the “flesh-eating disease”, but the bacteria simply release toxins that impairs the neighboring tissues. The condition can start as a minor injury such as a small scrape or cut but rapidly worsens and can be dangerous if not detected and promptly treated.
What are the signs?
The indications of necrotizing fasciitis manifests rapidly over hours or days. It might not be evident initially and strikingly resemble conditions such as cellulitis, flu or gastroenteritis.
The initial signs might include:
- Small but sore scratch or cut on the skin
Significant pain that appears out of proportion to the skin damage. - Significant pain that appears out of proportion to the skin damage
- Fever and other flu-like symptoms
After a few hours to days, the following might develop:
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Redness and swelling of the sore area
- Darkened blotches on the skin that turn into blisters filled with fluid
If left untreated, the infection is likely to spread throughout the body and trigger other symptoms such as weakness, dizziness and confusion.
Management of necrotizing fasciitis
Necrotizing fasciitis requires treatment in a healthcare facility.
The commonly used treatment options include:
- Surgical removal of the infected tissues – the procedure might be repeated several times to ensure that all the infected tissues are eliminated, and, in some cases, it might be required to amputate the affected limbs
- Antibiotics – various types are given intravenously
- Supportive care – these include measures to control the blood pressure, organ function and fluid level
An individual with the condition should be monitored in an intensive care unit and might remain in the healthcare facility for several weeks. The individual is isolated from other patients to lessen the risk of spreading the infection.