Necrotizing Fasciitis is a rare flesh eating bacteria which is
almost claiming life of a Georgian
women Aimee Copeland. She has misfortunately developed this
infection after an accident on a homemade zip line. This is a rare bacteria however it can spread
very quickly once it enters body through a cut. The doctor’s report shows that Aimee’s fingers
and possibly her foot will have to be cut to avoid spreading of bacteria to
other parts.
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These bacteria can easily eat up and
destroy fat tissues, skin and muscle.
Causes of Necrotizing Fasciitis
It is mostly caused by bacteria which
enter the skin through a cut, scar, burn, insect cut, and puncture due to
needle. In recent years cases of necrotizing fasciitis have been usually found
associated with drug users as they use intravenous injections. Infection spreads after the bacteria enters
subcutaneous tissues into deeper body including muscle, skin and fats.
Symptoms and Signs of Necrotizing Fasciitis
Necrotizing fasciitis looks like
redness and is warm. Swelling will appear in that area accompanied with pain.
Many times, the pain and tenderness experienced by patients is out of
proportion to the visible findings on the skin. Fever and chills may be
present. Over the course of hours to days, the redness of the skin rapidly
spreads and the skin may become dusky, purplish, or dark in color. Overlying
blisters, black scabs, hardening of the skin, skin breakdown, and wound
drainage may develop. Sometimes a fine crackling sensation may be felt under
the skin (crepitus), signifying gas within the tissues. The severe pain and
tenderness experienced may later diminish because of subsequent nerve damage,
leading to localized anesthesia of the affected area.
If you feel redness, pain, chilling, and
change of skin color appears then one should contact a doctor as soon as
possible.
Necrotizing Fasciitis Treatment
The disease cannot be managed at home
and a patient should rush to a hospital. Hospital treatment is as follows.
- Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO)
- Necrotizing Fasciitis Surgery
