BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuNecrotizing soft tissue infectionNecrotizing fasciitis; Fasciitis - necrotizing; Flesh-eating bacteria; Soft tissue gangrene; Gangrene - soft tissueNecrotizing soft tissue infection is a rare but very severe type of bacterial infection. It can destroy the muscles, skin, and underlying tissue. The word "necrotizing" refers to something that causes body tissue to die. Causes Many different types of bacteria can cause this infection. A very severe and usually deadly form of necrotizing soft tissue infection is due to the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes, which is sometimes called "flesh-eating bacteria" or strep.Necrotizing soft tissue infection develops when the bacteria enters the body, usually through a minor cut or scrape. The bacteria begin to grow and release harmful substances (toxins) that kill tissue and affect blood flow to the area. With flesh-eating strep, the bacteria also make chemicals that block the body's ability to respond to the organism. As the tissue dies, the bacteria enters the blood and rapidly spreads throughout the body. Symptoms Symptoms may include:A small, red, painful lump or bump on the skin that spreads A very painful bruise-like area then develops and grows rapidly, sometimes in less than an hour The center becomes dark and dusky and then turns black and the tissue dies The skin may break open and ooze fluid Other symptoms may include:Feeling ill Fever Sweating Chills Nausea Dizziness Weakness Shock Exams and Tests Your health care provider may be able to diagnose this condition by looking at your skin. Or, the condition may be diagnosed in an operating room by a surgeon.Tests that may be done include:Ultrasound UltrasoundUltrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of organs and structures inside the body.Read Article Now Book Mark Article X-ray or CT scan X-rayX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images...Read Article Now Book Mark Article CT scanA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Blood tests Blood culture to check for bacteria Blood cultureA blood culture is a laboratory test to check for bacteria or other germs in a blood sample.Read Article Now Book Mark Article An incision of the skin to see if pus is present Skin tissue biopsy and cultureSkin tissue biopsyA skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Treatment is needed right away to prevent death. You'll likely need to stay in the hospital. Treatment includes:Powerful antibiotics given through a vein (IV) Surgery to drain the sore and remove dead tissue Special medicines called donor immunoglobulins (antibodies) to help fight the infection in some casesOther treatments may include:Skin grafts after the infection goes away to help your skin heal and look better Amputation if the disease spreads through an arm or leg AmputationLeg or foot amputation is the removal of a leg, foot or toes from the body. These body parts are called extremities. Amputations are done either by...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Hundred percent oxygen at high pressure (hyperbaric oxygen therapy) for certain types of bacterial infectionsHyperbaric oxygen therapyHyperbaric oxygen therapy uses a special pressure chamber to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) How well you do depends on:Your overall health (especially if you have diabetes) How fast you were diagnosed and how quickly you received treatment The type of bacteria causing the infection How quickly the infection spreads How well treatment worksThis disease commonly causes scarring and skin deformity.Death can occur rapidly without proper treatment. Possible Complications Complications that may result from this condition include:Infection that spreads throughout your body, causing a blood infection (sepsis), which can be deadly Blood infectionSepsis is an illness in which the body has a severe, inflammatory response to bacteria or other germs.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Scarring and disfigurement Loss of your ability to use an arm or leg Death When to Contact a Medical Professional This disorder is severe and may be life threatening. Contact your provider right away if symptoms of infection occur around a skin injury, including:Drainage of pus or blood Fever Pain Redness Swelling Prevention Always clean the skin thoroughly after a cut, scrape, or other skin injury.Open ReferencesReferencesAbbas M, Uçkay I, Ferry T, Hakko E, Pittet D. Severe soft-tissue infections. In: Bersten AD, Handy JM, eds. Oh's Intensive Care Manual. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 72.Fitzpatrick JE, High WA, Kyle WL. Necrotic and ulcerative skin disorders. In: Fitzpatrick JE, High WA, Kyle WL, eds. Urgent Care Dermatology: Symptom-Based Diagnosis. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 14.Pasternack MS, Swartz MN. Cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis, and subcutaneous tissue infections. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 93.AllVideoImagesTogA Closer Look Periodontal Disease - InDepth(In-Depth)Diabetes - type 2 - InDepth(In-Depth)Related Information Subcutaneous(Special Topic)Systemic(Special Topic)Aerobic(Special Topic)Anaerobic(Special Topic)Toxins(Special Topic)Shock(Injury)Necrosis(Special Topic)Sepsis(Condition) Review Date: 10/11/2023 Reviewed By: Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. 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Necrotizing soft tissue infectionNecrotizing fasciitis; Fasciitis - necrotizing; Flesh-eating bacteria; Soft tissue gangrene; Gangrene - soft tissueNecrotizing soft tissue infection is a rare but very severe type of bacterial infection. It can destroy the muscles, skin, and underlying tissue. The word "necrotizing" refers to something that causes body tissue to die. Causes Many different types of bacteria can cause this infection. A very severe and usually deadly form of necrotizing soft tissue infection is due to the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes, which is sometimes called "flesh-eating bacteria" or strep.Necrotizing soft tissue infection develops when the bacteria enters the body, usually through a minor cut or scrape. The bacteria begin to grow and release harmful substances (toxins) that kill tissue and affect blood flow to the area. With flesh-eating strep, the bacteria also make chemicals that block the body's ability to respond to the organism. As the tissue dies, the bacteria enters the blood and rapidly spreads throughout the body. Symptoms Symptoms may include:A small, red, painful lump or bump on the skin that spreads A very painful bruise-like area then develops and grows rapidly, sometimes in less than an hour The center becomes dark and dusky and then turns black and the tissue dies The skin may break open and ooze fluid Other symptoms may include:Feeling ill Fever Sweating Chills Nausea Dizziness Weakness Shock Exams and Tests Your health care provider may be able to diagnose this condition by looking at your skin. Or, the condition may be diagnosed in an operating room by a surgeon.Tests that may be done include:Ultrasound UltrasoundUltrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of organs and structures inside the body.Read Article Now Book Mark Article X-ray or CT scan X-rayX-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray waves through the body. The images...Read Article Now Book Mark Article CT scanA computed tomography (CT) scan is an imaging method that uses x-rays to create pictures of cross-sections of the body. Related tests include:Abdomin...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Blood tests Blood culture to check for bacteria Blood cultureA blood culture is a laboratory test to check for bacteria or other germs in a blood sample.Read Article Now Book Mark Article An incision of the skin to see if pus is present Skin tissue biopsy and cultureSkin tissue biopsyA skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment Treatment is needed right away to prevent death. You'll likely need to stay in the hospital. Treatment includes:Powerful antibiotics given through a vein (IV) Surgery to drain the sore and remove dead tissue Special medicines called donor immunoglobulins (antibodies) to help fight the infection in some casesOther treatments may include:Skin grafts after the infection goes away to help your skin heal and look better Amputation if the disease spreads through an arm or leg AmputationLeg or foot amputation is the removal of a leg, foot or toes from the body. These body parts are called extremities. Amputations are done either by...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Hundred percent oxygen at high pressure (hyperbaric oxygen therapy) for certain types of bacterial infectionsHyperbaric oxygen therapyHyperbaric oxygen therapy uses a special pressure chamber to increase the amount of oxygen in the blood.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) How well you do depends on:Your overall health (especially if you have diabetes) How fast you were diagnosed and how quickly you received treatment The type of bacteria causing the infection How quickly the infection spreads How well treatment worksThis disease commonly causes scarring and skin deformity.Death can occur rapidly without proper treatment. Possible Complications Complications that may result from this condition include:Infection that spreads throughout your body, causing a blood infection (sepsis), which can be deadly Blood infectionSepsis is an illness in which the body has a severe, inflammatory response to bacteria or other germs.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Scarring and disfigurement Loss of your ability to use an arm or leg Death When to Contact a Medical Professional This disorder is severe and may be life threatening. Contact your provider right away if symptoms of infection occur around a skin injury, including:Drainage of pus or blood Fever Pain Redness Swelling Prevention Always clean the skin thoroughly after a cut, scrape, or other skin injury.Open ReferencesReferencesAbbas M, Uçkay I, Ferry T, Hakko E, Pittet D. Severe soft-tissue infections. In: Bersten AD, Handy JM, eds. Oh's Intensive Care Manual. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 72.Fitzpatrick JE, High WA, Kyle WL. Necrotic and ulcerative skin disorders. In: Fitzpatrick JE, High WA, Kyle WL, eds. Urgent Care Dermatology: Symptom-Based Diagnosis. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 14.Pasternack MS, Swartz MN. Cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis, and subcutaneous tissue infections. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 93.