Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare infection that kills skin, fat, and muscles. It is also called "flesh-eating" bacteria. It usually affects the legs and arms. It can cause scarring and can lead to amputation and death.
This condition is treated in a hospital. Treatment includes antibiotics and supportive care. Surgery is usually needed to remove dead or infected tissue, stop the spread of infection, and repair damage. Sometimes people are placed in a chamber with high levels of oxygen. This is called a hyperbaric chamber. It helps the tissue heal.
Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare bacterial infection that can destroy skin and the soft tissues beneath it, including fat and the tissue that covers the muscles (fascia). Necrotizing fasciitis is also referred to as "flesh-eating" bacteria, because these tissues often die rapidly.
Necrotizing fasciitis is caused by several kinds of bacteria. It is most often caused by group A streptococcal (GAS) bacteria. These bacteria also cause other, usually mild, infections such as strep throat or impetigo. But in rare cases the bacteria produce poisons (toxins) that damage the soft tissue below the skin and cause a more dangerous infection that can spread quickly along the fascia. The bacteria also can travel through the blood to the lungs and other organs. Necrotizing fasciitis can cause organ failure and sometimes death.
This condition is treated with antibiotics and supportive care. Surgery is usually needed to remove dead or infected tissue, stop the spread of infection, and repair the damage done by the infection.
The symptoms often start suddenly after an injury. You may need medical care right away if you have pain that gets better over 24 to 36 hours and then suddenly gets worse. The pain may be much worse than you would expect from the size of the wound or injury. You may also have:
The infection may spread rapidly. It quickly can become life-threatening. You may go into shock and have damage to skin, fat, and the tissue covering the muscles. (This damage is called gangrene.) Necrotizing fasciitis can lead to organ failure and death.
Early treatment of necrotizing fasciitis is critical. The sooner treatment begins, the more likely you will recover from the infection and avoid serious complications, such as limb amputation or death. You may be treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) at the hospital.
Treatment may include:
Necrotizing fasciitis is very rare. Bacteria that cause the disease usually don't cause infection unless they enter the body through a cut or other break in the skin.
If you've been in close contact with someone who has necrotizing fasciitis, and you notice any symptoms of infection (such as pain, swelling, redness, or fever), see your doctor right away.
To help prevent any kind of infection, wash your hands often. And always keep cuts, scrapes, burns, sores, and bites clean.
The doctor will diagnose your infection based on how suddenly your symptoms started and how quickly the infection is spreading. The infected tissue may be tested for bacteria. You also may need X-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI to look for injury to your organs or to find out how much the infection has spread.
Necrotizing fasciitis is an infection caused by bacteria. It can destroy skin, fat, and the tissue covering the muscles within a very short time.
The disease sometimes is called flesh-eating bacteria. When it occurs on the genitals, it is called Fournier gangrene.
Necrotizing fasciitis is very rare but serious. Many people who get necrotizing fasciitis are in good health before they get the infection.
Your risk of getting this infection is higher if you:
Necrotizing fasciitis is caused by several kinds of bacteria. Some of these bacteria also cause infections such as strep throat and impetigo. Usually the infections caused by these bacteria are mild. But in rare cases they can cause necrotizing fasciitis. This is a more dangerous infection.
You can get necrotizing fasciitis when bacteria enter a wound, such as from an insect bite, a burn, or a cut. It is not as common, but you can also get it in:
It is very rare for someone to spread necrotizing fasciitis to another person.
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