skin disorders
Necrotizing Skin Infections
Introduction
Necrotizing skin infections, including necrotizing cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis, are severe forms of Cellulitis . These infections cause infected skin and tissues to die (necrosis). The infected skin is red, warm to the touch, swollen, and gas bubbles may form under the skin. The person usually has intense pain, feels very ill, and has a high fever. The diagnosis is based on a doctor's evaluation, x-rays, and laboratory tests. Treatment involves removing dead skin and tissue, which sometimes requires extensive surgery, and giving intravenous antibiotics. (See also Overview of Bacterial Skin Infections .) . Because the body's immune defenses that travel through the bloodstream (such as White blood cells and , may cause necrotizing skin infections, but in many people the infections are caused by a combination of bacteria. The necrotizing skin infection caused by streptococci in particular has been termed “flesh-eating disease” by the lay press, but it differs little from the others. Gas Gangrene (also called clostridial myonecrosis) is a type of necrotizing skin infection that affects the muscle and surrounding tissues and is typically caused by Some necrotizing skin infections begin at puncture wounds or lacerations, particularly wounds contaminated with dirt and debris. Other infections begin in surgical incisions or even in healthy skin. Sometimes people with diverticulitis, intestinal perforation, or tumors of the intestine develop necrotizing infections of the abdominal wall, genital area, or thighs. These infections occur when certain bacteria escape from the intestine and spread to the skin. The bacteria may initially create an Abdominal Abscesses and spread directly outward to the skin, or they may spread through the bloodstream to the skin and other organs. People with diabetes are at particular risk of necrotizing skin infections. 