How to Identify Necrotizing Fasciitis

Necrotizing fasciitis is most commonly known as "the flesh eating bacteria." Necrotizing faciitis is caused by strep A bacteria, the same strain that causes strep throat. Necrotizing fasciitis is a quickly progressing disease. It can kill within 4 to 5 days of exposure to the bacteria. Learning how to identify the signs of necrotizing faciitis can save your life.

Instructions

The Early Stage

• 1

  Identify the point of entry. Strep A bacteria, the bacteria that causes Necrotizing Faciitis, can enter the body through any weakened skin such as a bruise or cut. One usually experiences a minor injury that allows the bacteria to invade, but the site of the injury is not always the site of the infection.

• 2

  Rate the pain as it continually worsens. This is a pain not usually associated with the injury, like that of a pulled muscle. Also, the pain will be out of proportion to the injury. This pain does not have to be in the exact area of the abrasion, but it can be on any part of the body near it, even a limb.

• 3

  Look for symptoms like those of the flu. You may experience diarrhea, nausea, fever, confusion, dizziness, and fatigue.

• 4

  Check for a decline in urination and a severe thirst. Necrotizing faciitis quickly dehydrates the body. This causes extreme thirst and less frequent urination than usual in the individual.

• 5

  Understand that the most recognizable symptom is the appearance of all of these symptoms at the same time, creating a horrible feeling that is not easily explained by the afflicted. These symptoms usually occur within 24 hours of exposure. Seek medical attention once the "flesh eating" disease is suspected.

The Advanced Stage

• 6

  Observe the site where the pain is occurring to see when it begins to swell. This swelling may be accompanied with a purple colored rash.

• 7

  Gently touch the wound or around the wound to see if it is giving off heat. The wound may appear red and will be hot to the touch and extremely painful.

• 8

  Find large, dark spots. These spots then turn into blisters filled with a dark, nearly black fluid.

• 9

  Look for the signs of necrotizing. The skin around the wound becomes bluish, whitish or dark in appearance. The wound becomes flaky and gives the appearance of rotting. These symptoms usually occur within 3 to 4 days after exposure to Strep A bacteria.

The Critical Stage

• 10

  Check blood pressure to see if it is dropping at a severe rate. At this point, hospitalization is necessary, In fact, it should already have been obtained.

• 11

  Be aware that a sunburn-like rash may occur anywhere on the body from the toxins given off by the bacteria.

• 12

  Check for signs of the body progressing into toxic shock due to the toxins given off by the bacteria.

• 13

  Stay alert. The individual may become unconscious as his body becomes too weak to fight off the infection. These symptoms occur immediately before death, usually 4 to 5 days after the initial exposure.