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Necrotizing Fasciitis Overview
The term “necrotizing” is used to describe the death of body tissues. When this happens, it can be caused by a problem with an infection. Some patients who have taken certain drugs might develop necrotizing tissue as the infection spreads.
A patient who has this condition might also hear it referred to as flesh-eating bacteria.
The term “fasciitis” is used to explain the layer of tissue under the skin and what happens when it becomes inflamed. This layer of tissue surrounds fat, blood vessels, nerves, and muscles.
Necrotizing Fasciitis Symptoms
The sooner that a patient can notice the signs of a potential necrotizing fasciitis issue, the easier it will be for him or her to get medical attention. Typically, a patient will start to experience these symptoms within 24 hours after getting the initial infection.
Some of the most common symptoms of this dangerous skin infection include increasing pain in the area surrounding the cut, pain that seems to go deeper than the appearance of the cut shows, intense thirst, and flu-like symptoms.
If these symptoms appear for a patient with a cut, it’s time to get insight from a doctor immediately. Often, these symptoms might be confused with other conditions, but your doctor can help you figure out what works for you based on your diagnosis.
Necrotizing Fasciitis Causes
This condition is commonly caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria, which is the same thing that causes strep throat. Any patient who is concerned about getting this kind of infection should know that other types of bacteria can cause it, too.
This condition is caused when the underlying bacteria infect the patient’s layer of connective tissue under the skin.
Skin Breaks
When your doctor looks closely at you to determine whether or not you might have developed an infection, he or she will probably want to see the skin break area. This refers to the area in which the bacteria have entered the body. A skin break can occur because of burns, cuts and scrapes, surgical wounds, insect bites, and puncture wounds.
A skin break, however, can also happen because the patient was taking a medication that caused the necrotizing fasciitis.
Diagnosis of Necrotizing Fasciitis
If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, it is key to be proactive and report your concerns to your doctor. A physical examination will start the process of determining whether or not you have this kind of problem or another condition.
According to WebMD, the doctor will also order tests to help verify whether or not you have necrotizing fasciitis. This can include taking a tissue sample, imaging tests, or looking at your bloodwork to see if any signs of infection can be spotted.
Necrotizing Fasciitis Risk Factors
Risk factors for this condition mean that a person is more likely than other members of the general public to suffer with this infection. Complications are common with this condition, so a person who has been diagnosed should also be aware of potential side effects. Those people with diabetes, kidney disease, or cancer are especially at risk.
