Necrotizing Fasciitis (NF)

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF), more popularly known as flesh-eating disease, is an infection which leads to the death of a body parts' soft tissue.

The symptoms include reddish or purplish skin, fever, swelling, pain, and vomiting. NF usually affects the limbs and perineum; it has a sudden onset and it rapidly spreads. The infection occurs when bacteria enters the body through a wound, burn, or any break in the skin.

The risk factors include obesity, diabetes, alcoholism, intravenous drug use, and peripheral artery disease. NF may be prevented through appropriate wound care and hygiene. The common treatments are intravenous antibiotics and surgery. The first description of this condition was in the 5th century BC when Hippocrates attributed the condition to the complication of streptococcal infection.The term “Necrotizing fasciitis” was coined in 1952 by Dr. B. Wilson.