Necrotizing fasciitis how does it spread

However, you can reduce your risk with basic hygiene practices. Wash your hands frequently with soap and treat any wounds promptly, even minor ones. If you already have a wound, take good care of it. Change your bandages regularly or when they become wet or dirty. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC lists hot tubs, whirlpools, and swimming pools as examples of places you should avoid when you have a wound.

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A skin lesion is a part of the skin that has an abnormal appearance compared to the skin around it. Discover 21 types of skin lesions, like acne and…. Viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites can all cause skin infections. Infections can range from mild to severe. Learn what to do if you have a skin…. An open wound is an injury involving an external or internal break in your body tissue, usually involving the skin. Nearly everyone will experience an….

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A skin lesion biopsy is a simple medical procedure in which a sample of your skin is removed and tested in a laboratory. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Necrotizing Fasciitis Soft Tissue Inflammation. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. What are the symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis? Antibiotics and surgery are typically the first lines of defense if a doctor suspects a patient has necrotizing fasciitis.

Since necrotizing fasciitis can spread so rapidly, patients often must get surgery done very quickly. Doctors also give antibiotics through a needle into a vein IV antibiotics to try to stop the infection. Sometimes, however, antibiotics cannot reach all of the infected areas because the bacteria have killed too much tissue and reduced blood flow. When this happens, doctors have to surgically remove the dead tissue. It is not unusual for someone with necrotizing fasciitis to end up needing multiple surgeries.

In serious cases, the patient may need a blood transfusion. There are many infections that look similar to necrotizing fasciitis in the early stages, which can make diagnosis difficult.

In addition to looking at the injury or infection, doctors can diagnose necrotizing fasciitis by:. However, it is important to start treatment as soon as possible. Therefore, doctors may not wait for test results if they think a patient might have necrotizing fasciitis. Necrotizing fasciitis can lead to sepsis , shock, and organ failure. It can also result in life-long complications from loss of limbs or severe scarring due to surgically removing infected tissue.

Even with treatment, up to 1 in 3 people with necrotizing fasciitis die from the infection. Six out of every 10 people who get both necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome at the same time die from their infections. Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is another very serious illness caused by group A strep. It causes the body to go into shock and involves low blood pressure and multiple organ failure.

While anyone can get necrotizing fasciitis, it is rare. And always keep cuts, scrapes, burns, sores, and bites clean. Current as of: September 23, Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: E. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

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Top of the page. Topic Overview What is necrotizing fasciitis? Your risk of getting this infection is higher if you: Have a weak immune system. Have chronic health problems such as diabetes , cancer, or liver or kidney disease.

Have cuts in your skin, including surgical wounds. Recently had chickenpox or other viral infections that cause a rash. Use steroid medicines, which can lower the body's resistance to infection. What causes necrotizing fasciitis? You can also get it in: Wounds that come in contact with ocean water, raw saltwater fish, or raw oysters, including injuries from handling sea animals such as crabs. An intestinal surgery site, or in tumours or gunshot injuries in the intestines.

A muscle strain or bruise, even if there is no break in the skin. What are the symptoms? You may also have: Skin that is red, swollen, and hot to the touch. A fever and chills.