Necrotising fasciitis

Necrotising fasciitis, also known as the "flesh-eating disease", is a rare and life-threatening infection that can happen if a wound gets infected. It needs to be treated in hospital straight away.

Check if you have necrotising fasciitis

Symptoms of necrotising fasciitis can develop quickly within hours or over a few days.

At first you may have:

• intense pain or loss of feeling near to a cut or wound – the pain may seem much worse than you would usually expect from a cut or wound
• swelling of the skin around the affected area
• flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, headache and tiredness

Later symptoms can include:

• being sick (vomiting) and diarrhoea
• confusion
• black, purple or grey blotches and blisters on the skin (these may be less obvious on black or brown skin)

Treatments for necrotising fasciitis

Necrotising fasciitis gets worse quickly and can be fatal. It must be treated in hospital as soon as possible.

Treatment will usually include:

• antibiotics
• surgery to remove the affected area

Even after successful treatment, there may be long-term changes in how your body looks and how you move or use the affected part of your body. Sometimes amputation of affected limbs is needed.

You may need further surgery and physiotherapy to help you recover.

Causes of necrotising fasciitis

Necrotising fasciitis is an infection that can happen after getting a wound. It causes damage to the deep layers of your skin.

The infection may get into the body through:

• cuts and scratches
• burns and scalds
• insect bites
• surgery
• injecting drugs

You may be more at risk from developing necrotising fasciitis if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system.