About Flesh Eating Disease

Flesh eating disease, which is commonly known in the medical community as necrotizing fasciitis, is an infection in which the skin and other tissues of the body are "eaten" away. This infection is treatable, but it can cause significant damage to organs and may prove fatal in a relatively short period of time (within 24 hours in some cases, according to information provided by the Heathline Network).

Cause

• Necrotizing fasciitis is caused by bacteria (typically a bacterium called Streptococcus pyogenes) that release toxins into the body. These toxins travel through the bloodstream poisoning the skin and other organs.

Risk Factors

• The risk of an individual developing necrotizing fasciitis is significantly higher if he has a weakened immune system and/or was bitten by an insect, burned, or injured.

Symptoms

• Necrotizing fasciitis may cause diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting, a red swollen area near the site of the injury or bite, severe pain, skin that feels hot when touched, shock, and/or severe tissue damage.

Identification

• A physician will typically perform a CT scan, MRI, or X-ray to look for the gases that are released when tissue is destroyed by necrotizing fasciitis.

Treatment

• Necrotizing fasciitis is typically treated with antibiotics, painkillers, and/or surgery in which the tissue that has been infected and/or destroyed is removed.