Necrotizing fasciitis is an aggressive infection that moves very quickly. It is therefore vital to diagnose the condition in the beginning stages. But what are the early symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis?
Early symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis
The first warning sign of necrotizing fasciitis is a severe pain inside the tissue. Normally this will have no obvious cause. Or, if a wound (such as a surgical wound) has been sustained, the pain will be totally disproportionate to the injury.
Shortly after the onset of pain, the skin will develop visible changes in colour. At the site of pain the skin will turn dark red and colour, and will also be red and hot to touch.
Ordinarily the patient will also feel unwell. More specifically there may be a fever with a high temperature and chills.
To summarise, the beginning stages of necrotizing fasciitis are associated with the following symptoms:
- Intense pain with no obvious cause
- Skin that is red and hot to touch
- Fever and a feeling of being unwell
Later symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis
As necrotizing fasciitis progresses, the symptoms will become increasingly worse. The pain will remain severe, the patient will become more feverish, and the skin will turn from dark red to purple/black. Pus filled blisters can also appear on the skin. When the skin becomes black it has turned necrotic (meaning it has died) and an open wound will develop.
To summarise, the later stages of necrotizing fasciitis are associated with the following symptoms:
- Skin that is purple or dark in colour
- Pus filled blisters
- Necrotic tissue
Final stages of necrotizing fasciitis
The final stage of necrotizing fasciitis will see the area of necrosis grow in size, creating more and more dead tissue. The bacteria will reach the bloodstream and the patient will become critically unwell, often become confused and disorientated. This is the by-product of sepsis, which is when the blood becomes infected. This can result in septic shock, organ failure and death.
To summarise the final stages of necrotizing fasciitis are associated with the following symptoms:
- Growing area of necrotic tissue
- Sepsis and septic shock
- Organ failure and death
Preventing necrotizing fasciitis death
To prevent a necrotizing fasciitis death, the infection must be treated in the early stages. The patient has a much better chance of recovery if treatment is given before the bacteria have reached the bloodstream.
It is therefore up to doctors to recognise the early symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis and offer immediate treatment. If they fail to spot the symptoms and make a diagnosis, there could be grounds for a medical negligence claim. Contact us for more information.
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