Necrotising fasciitis is often mistaken for other, more minor conditions. However, this will be very dangerous as necrotising fasciitis must be treated quickly if widespread damage is to be prevented. A wrong diagnosis will therefore cause a delay in treatment, something which could prove very costly.
Common diagnoses of necrotising fasciitis
Necrotising fasciitis is most commonly mistaken for cellulitis, as the two conditions have very similar symptoms in the initial stages. These include:-
- Skin that is hot to touch;
- Erythema (redness) of the skin;
- Pain.
But the two conditions are in fact very different. Necrotising fasciitis is a serious infection of subcutaneous tissues which is rapidly progressive and, if untreated, fatal. Cellulitis is a less virulent infection of the deeper layers of the skin. The two also differ in terms of symptoms. While the initial signs are similar, necrotising fasciitis is associated with a severe pain that is disproportionate to the injury. This intense pain often precedes any skin discoloration, so at first it seems like there is no obvious cause.
Necrotising fasciitis can also be mistaken for:-
- Deep vein thrombosis (if the infection occurs in the leg);
- A hernia (if the infection is present in the groin);
- Enlarged lymph nodes (if the infection is present in the groin);
- Dermatological disorders;
- Churg-Strauss syndrome (blood vessel inflammation).
Claiming for a wrong diagnosis of necrotising fasciitis
When a patient presents with the early symptoms of necrotising fasciitis, it is possible that a wrong diagnosis is made. However, as the condition progresses, the symptoms will worsen and the patient will become increasingly unwell. The area of necrosis will spread, the skin will become darker in colour and a fever will develop. At this stage, it is absolutely essential doctors reconsider their initial diagnosis. This should be done extremely quickly, as necrotising fasciitis is a condition that deteriorates rapidly.
But sadly doctors do not always identify the condition in a timely fashion. Instead they continue to treat a patient for the wrong condition, which of course will not produce any results. Sometimes doctors will simply not know what the diagnosis is, carrying out a number of tests but don’t even suspect necrotising fasciitis until a patient is seriously unwell. This will be devastating for the patient concerned who will have to endure prolonged pain and suffering, and will be left with an extensive area of necrotic tissue – all because doctors could not make the right diagnosis.
If this is something that has happened to you or your loved one, you could be entitled to claim compensation for the damage this has caused. Contact us today to find out more.
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