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20/Aug/2019

Necrotising fasciitis is a rare but serious bacterial infection that affects the tissue beneath the skin and surrounding muscles and organs (fascia). It’s sometimes called the “flesh-eating disease”, although the bacteria that cause it do not “eat” flesh, but release toxins that damage nearby tissue.

Necrotising fasciitis is a rare and very serious infection. It can spread rapidly in the body and lead to sepsis, shock, organ failure and death.
Necrotising means causing the death of tissues. Fasciitis is inflammation of the fascia, collagen-based soft tissues that surrounds muscles, nerves, fat and blood vessels.
It happens when bacteria invade the soft tissue and fascia. They multiply quickly, releasing toxins and enzymes that cause blood clots in the blood vessels. This leads to the death of the tissues in your skin and muscles and the tissues under your skin.
Quick and accurate diagnosis of necrotising fasciitis and rapid antibiotic treatment and surgery are critical in stopping this infection before it causes severe damage or death.

Causes

Group A streptococcus bacteria is one of the most common cause of necrotising fasciitis. Usually called strep A, this is the same bacteria that can cause strep throat and skin infections in people. (There are other types of necrotising fasciitis caused by different bacteria or fungi.)

Strep A are common bacteria found on the skin, including the skin near the anus, the genital tract, and the throat. They can enter the skin through cuts, lacerations, grazes, burns, insect bites, puncture wounds (including from needles and cannulas), and surgical wounds. Even minor wounds such as a prick from a rose thorn or a mosquito bite can allow Strep A through the skin. People can get necrotising fasciitis following blunt trauma that does not break the skin.

Not everyone is colonised by strep A all the time. It can come and go from skin contact with other people.

Symptoms

The most common site of infection is the lower leg. Necrotising fasciitis can affect upper limbs, perineum, buttocks, trunk, head, and neck.

Symptoms appear usually within 24 hours of a minor injury.

  • A red, warm, or swollen area of skin that spreads quickly
  • Severe pain, including pain beyond the area of the skin that is red, warm, or swollen
  • There may be flu-like symptoms, such as nausea, fever, diarrhoea, dizziness and general malaise (feeling unwell).


Seek medical help as soon as possible if you have these symptoms after an injury or surgery.

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