Necrotizing subcutaneous infection

Alternative names:

fasciitis - necrotizing; flesh-eating bacteria; infection - necrotizing subcutaneous; necrotizing fasciitis; subcutaneous infection - bacterial

Symptoms:

• swelling of the area
• discoloration of the area
  • may appear reddened, bronzed, bruised, or purple (purpuric)
  • progresses to dusky, dark color

• bleeding into the skin
• visible dead (necrotic ) tissue
• skin color, patchy
• skin breaks (open wound) with pain at wound site
• skin around the wound feels hot and looks reddened, raised, or discolored (inflamed)
• oozing fluid ranging from yellowish clear or yellowish bloody to puslike in quality
• fever
• general ill feeling (malaise)

Signs and tests:

The appearance of the skin and presence of gangrenous changes (black or dead tissue) indicates necrotizing subcutaneous infection. A culture of drainage or tissue from the area may reveal the causative bacteria.