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Necrotizing Fasciitis Treatment

Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare condition more commonly known as flesh-eating disease or flesh-eating bacteria. It is a fast-spreading bacterial infection most commonly caused by group A strep bacteria that enters the body through a cut or abrasion, or in some cases through skin weakened by a blister or bruise. Necrotizing fasciitis is a very rare condition, but if not treated promptly it can be deadly. Early symptoms include pain in the area of a skin injury, flu-like symptoms and increasing thirst.

  1. Antibiotics

    • Once necrotizing fasciitis is diagnosed, the first course of treatment will be to immediately begin intravenous antibiotics. The type of antibiotic used typically depends on the bacteria that caused the infection, and in many cases multiple drugs may be used to prevent patients from developing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. The earlier IV treatments begin, the better chance a patient has of a successful outcome.

    Surgery

    • In most cases doctors will act quickly to involve a surgeon in a patient's treatment because debridement will be necessary to remove the infected tissue. Surgically removing the dead tissue can help stop the infection from spreading. Most patients will require several surgical debridements to bring the infection under control. In some cases it may be necessary to amputate a limb to help stop the infection from spreading.

    Oxygen Therapy

    • Another fairly common treatment for necrotizing fasciitis patients is oxygen therapy, which can be successful in bringing an infection under control and promoting wound healing. Oxygen therapy typically involves putting a patient in a chamber filled with oxygen. For some patients, the use of oxygen therapy may prevent the need for surgery. However, hyperbaric oxygen chambers are not available in all hospitals.

    Other Treatments

    • Most necrotizing fasciitis patients will require additional medical care to help treat some of the complications that develop as a result of the infection such as sepsis and organ failure. Some patients may require breathing tubes, additional medications and other tests and surgical procedures to treat the condition.

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