Doctor's Notes on Necrotizing Fasciitis
(Flesh-Eating Disease)
Necrotizing fasciitis (NF), also called flesh-eating disease (bacteria), is a rapidly progressive infection that primarily affects the connective tissue planes (fascia) just under the skin, where it can spread rapidly and involve adjacent soft tissue, leading to widespread tissue death (necrosis). It is a rare condition, but can be life-threatening.
Early on, there may be few symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis (flesh-eating disease) other than pain or soreness, similar to that of a "pulled muscle." As the infection rapidly spreads, the symptoms necrotizing fasciitis include an area of localized redness, warmth, swelling, and pain, often resembling a superficial skin infection (cellulitis). The pain and tenderness is often out of proportion to the visible findings on the skin. Other symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis include fever, chills, feeling unwell (malaise), nausea, vomiting, weakness, dizziness, and confusion. Within hours to days, the skin redness rapidly spreads and skin may become dusky, purplish, or dark in color. Blisters, black scabs, hardening of the skin, skin breakdown, and wound drainage may develop. A fine crackling sensation due to gas within the tissues may sometimes be felt under the skin (crepitus). Nerve damage progresses and localized numbness of the affected area may occur. If untreated, the infection spreads throughout the body, often leading to sepsis (infection in the bloodstream) and often death.
Stomach Pain : Nausea & Other Causes Quiz

Bowel regularity means a bowel movement every day.
See AnswerMust Read Articles:
-
Antibiotics (Side Effects, List, Types)
Antibiotics are prescribed to individuals to cure disease by killing bacteria. There are over 100 antibiotics. The main classes of antibiotics include penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides, flouroquinolones, sulfonamides, tetracyclines, and aminoglycosides. Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem due to the overprescription of antibiotics to individuals. Allergic reactions to antibiotics commonly have the following symptoms shortness of breath, rash, hives, itching, swelling of the lips, face, or tongue, and fainting. -
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy or "chemo" is a treatment for cancer. Depending on the type of cancer an individual has, it can cure cancer, control cancer. or ease cancer symptoms. There are a variety of cancer drugs. There are a number of support groups to assist chemotherapy patients gain the help they need to move through this very trying treatment. -
Gangrene
Gangrene describes death of body tissue due to reduced blood flow (dry gangrene), infection (wet gangrene), or the bacteria Clostridia (gas gangrene). Symptoms include skin discoloration, fever, pain, swelling, foul odor, numbness, discharge, rapid breathing, and rapid heart rate. Antibiotics and surgery are effective treatments for gangrene. -
MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is an infection that shows resistance to many antibiotics. Symptoms and signs include pus production and itching in the affected area. The majority of serious MRSA infections are treated with a combination of two or more intravenous antibiotics. -
Puncture Wound
A puncture wound is caused by an object piercing the skin such as nails, glass, pins, or other sharp objects. A puncture wound can become infected if not treated properly. A tetanus booster may be necessary for some puncture wounds.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.