Necrotising fasciitis is an aggressive bacterial infection that can affect any area of the body, although it commonly appears in the male genitalia – including the scrotum.
When necrotising fasciitis affects the genitals of a male patient, it is also known as Fournier’s Gangrene.
Necrotising fasciitis in the scrotum
Jean Alfred Fournier first studied a flesh-eating disease that affected the male genitalia in 1883. He identified five previously healthy males who suddenly developed severe gangrene in the penis and the scrotum.
This condition is now known to be called necrotising fasciitis. However, in light of the work done by Jean Alfred Fournier, necrotising fasciitis that appears in the male genitalia is called Fournier’s Gangrene.
Who gets Fournier’s Gangrene and necrotising fasciitis?
Previously Jean Alfred Fournier thought the disease was limited to young men. But this is not true, as necrotising fasciitis can affect anyone of any age. Although of course, Fournier’s Gangrene will only arise in male patients.
For necrotising fasciitis to occur there will normally be a break in the skin, through which the bacteria have entered. For example, the scrotum or penis may have suffered some form of trauma such as:
- Circumcision
- Insect bites
- Genital piercing
- Superficial soft-tissue injury, like a cut or scratch
- Penile/intramuscular injections
Alternatively there may be an existing condition, infection or foreign body that leads to necrotising fasciitis. This might include:
- Perirectal abscesses
- Lower urinary tract infection
- Systemic infections
- Prosthetic penile implants
- Steroid enemas
- Strangulated inguinal hernia
What will happen if my scrotum is infected with necrotising fasciitis?
If your scrotum does become infected with necrotising fasciitis, it will be very painful, but there may not be any obvious reason for the pain. The scrotum will also be red and hot to touch.
Necrotising fasciitis progresses rapidly, so within a short space of time pus-filled blisters – called bullae – will begin to form on the surface of the skin. Eventually the tissue will also turn dark purple or black in colour. This represents tissue gangrene, and will ultimately see the dead tissue turn into an open wound.
Treating necrotising fasciitis
Therefore if necrotising fasciitis in the scrotum is not treated quickly enough, it will spread across the perineum and genitalia, causing the tissue to die. This can severely affect function, and can leave the patient with grossly deformed genitalia. He may not be able to have sex subsequently, or possibly even urinate properly.
Because of these awful consequences, it is vital that necrotising fasciitis is treated in the early stages. If doctors fail to do so, leaving the patient with life-changing injuries, there could be a case of medical negligence. Contact us to find out more.
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