How long does it take for flesh-eating bacteria to show symptoms?

The early symptoms of an infection with flesh-eating bacteria usually appear within the first 24 hours of infection. Symptoms are similar to other conditions like the flu or a less serious skin infection. The early symptoms are also similar to common post-surgical complaints, such as: Serious pain.

What does flesh-eating disease start like?

What are the early symptoms of flesh-eating disease? The early stage of necrotizing fasciitis is characterized by symptoms of redness, swelling, and pain in the affected area. Blisters may be seen in the involved area of skin. Fever, nausea, vomiting, and other flu-like symptoms are common.

At what location does the flesh-eating disease usually begin to develop?

The most commonly affected areas are the limbs and perineum. Typically, the infection enters the body through a break in the skin such as a cut or burn. Risk factors include poor immune function such as from diabetes or cancer, obesity, alcoholism, intravenous drug use, and peripheral artery disease.

What does skin necrosis look like?

What does skin necrosis look like? There are two main types of necrotic tissue present in wounds. One is a dry, thick, leathery tissue usually a tan, brown, or black color. The other is often yellow, tan, green, or brown and might be moist, loose, and stringy in appearance.

How does necrotizing fasciitis spread through the body?

The bacteria that cause necrotizing fasciitis can be passed from person to person through close contact, such as touching the wound of the infected person. But this rarely happens unless the person who is exposed to the bacteria has an open wound, chickenpox, or an impaired immune system.

What causes skin eating disease?

There are many strains of bacteria that can cause the flesh-eating disease known as necrotizing fasciitis, but most cases are caused by a bacteria called group A strep, or Streptococcus pyogenes. More common infections with group A strep are not only strep throat, but also a skin infection called impetigo.

Can skin necrosis heal on its own?

If you only have a small amount of skin necrosis, it might heal on its own or your doctor may trim away some of the dead tissue and treat the area with basic wound care in a minor procedure setting. Some doctors also treat skin necrosis with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

What organs are affected by necrotizing fasciitis?

Necrotizing fasciitis is a serious infection of the skin, the tissue just beneath the skin (subcutaneous tissue), and the tissue that covers internal organs (fascia).

What does early skin necrosis look like?

Early symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis can include: A red, warm, or swollen area of skin that spreads quickly. Severe pain, including pain beyond the area of the skin that is red, warm, or swollen.