Signs & Symptoms of a Flesh-Eating Disease

Necrotizing fasciitis, also known as the flesh-eating disease or flesh-eating bacteria, is an infection of the underlying layers of skin and the tissues directly beneath the skin, the subcutaneous tissues.

Causes

• A variety of bacteria can cause the very rare, but serious, flesh-eating disease. Streptococcus pyogenes, a common bacteria, usually enters the body through a small scrape or cut. When the minor wound is left untreated, or is not properly cleaned, bacteria grow and begin to release toxins throughout the body.

Skin Irritation

• The first sign of the flesh-eating disease is skin irritation. In the beginning stages, the skin may appear slightly irritated, but the pain will be severe. Within a few hours, a small red bump or several small red bumps may appear on the skin's surface.

Swollen Infected Area

• The disease progresses rather quickly, and within a few hours, the tissue around the infected area will become swollen due to the built-up moisture (pus) below the skin's surface.

Darkening of the Skin and Blisters

• In a few more hours, the skin will darken to a violet color, with the formation of thick blisters on the skin. The blisters sometimes become so dark that they begin to appear black. At this point, pus may begin to seep from the infected area.

Vomiting and Diarrhea

• Vomiting and diarrhea are also common symptoms of the disease, and usually occurs in the later stages of progression. Other symptoms include chills, fever, low blood pressure, excessive perspiration and dizziness. In the later stages of the infection, many patients have severe weakness, dehydration, shock and confusion.