Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare and serious bacterial infection characterized by inflammation and death of tissue under the skin that involves muscles, nerves, and blood vessels, called fascia. This infection occurs mainly by group A Streptococcus bacteria, being more common due to Streptococcus pyogenes.
The bacteria can spread quickly, causing very rapid developmental symptoms, such as fever, a red, swollen area that appears on the skin and progresses to ulcers and darkening of the area. Therefore, in the face of any signs of necrotizing fasciitis, it is important to go to the hospital to start treatment to avoid complications.
- Bacteria can enter the body through openings in the skin.
- Whether by injections.
- The use of medications applied to the vein.
- Burns and cuts.
- From the moment the bacteria can enter the body.
- It spreads quickly.
- Causing the appearance of symptoms that progress rapidly.
- Being the main ones:.
The evolution of the signs and symptoms indicates that the bacterium multiplies and causes the death of the tissue, called necrosis, so if any signs are perceived that may indicate necrotizing fasciitis, it is important to go to the hospital to make the diagnosis and start treatment.
Although group A strep can be found naturally in the body, necrotizing fasciitis does not occur in everyone. This infection is most common in diabetics, people with chronic or malignant diseases, over the age of 60, obesity, who consume immunosuppressive drugs or who have vascular diseases.
Learn more about Group A strep
Complications of necrotizing fasciitis occur when the infection is not identified and is not treated with antibiotics, so there may be sepsis and organic failure, as bacteria can reach and develop in other organs, in addition, due to tissue death, it may also be necessary to remove the affected limb, in order to prevent the spread of the bacteria and the appearance of other infections.
The diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis is made by observing the signs and symptoms that the person presents, in addition to the results of laboratory tests, blood and imaging tests are usually required to observe the affected area, in addition to the tissue biopsy, which is important to identify the presence of bacteria in the area. Understand what a biopsy is and how it is done.
Although it is advisable to start antibiotic treatment only after additional tests, in case of necrotizing fasciitis, treatment should be done as soon as possible due to rapid and severe progression of the disease.
Treatment for necrotizing fasciitis should be done in the hospital, it is recommended that the person remain isolated for a few weeks so that there is no risk of transmitting the bacteria to others.
Treatment consists of antibiotics through a vein (into the vein) to fight the infection. However, when the infection is more advanced and there are signs of necrosis, surgery may be indicated to remove the tissue to combat the infection.