Necrotising Fasciitis – Rare but be Aware

The ‘flesh eating’ disease necrotising fasciitis is thankfully rare, but it can happen to seafarers.

Necrotising Fasciitis is a serious bacterial infection that affects the tissue under the skin surrounding muscles, nerves, fat and blood vessels.  The bacteria cause necrosis, which means the death of the tissues.

The US health agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that one in every three cases is fatal – even with treatment.

The offending bacteria live in the gut, throat or skin of some people. However, it does not cause any problems unless it gets into the deep body tissues. This can be through a relatively minor injury such as:

• • Cuts and scrapes
  • Burns
  • Insect bites
  • Puncture or surgical wounds

While necrotising fasciitis is rare, anyone can be affected. But people with other health problems that lower the body’s ability to fight infections such as diabetes, kidney disease or poor general health are more vulnerable. Living in close quarters, such as on a vessel, may also put you at a higher risk.

Although symptoms of necrotising fasciitis are similar to other infections, they appear more rapidly and are more intense.

Early symptoms can include:

• • a small but painful cut or scratch on the skin
  • intense pain that’s out of proportion to any damage to the skin
  • a high temperature (fever) and other flu like symptoms

After a few hours to days, you may develop:

• • swelling and redness in the painful area – the swelling will usually feel firm to the touch
  • diarrhoea and vomiting
  • dark blotches on the skin that turn into fluid-filled blisters

If left untreated, the infection can spread through the body quickly and cause symptoms such as dizziness, weakness and confusion.

Necrotising fasciitis is a very serious illness which requires immediate hospital treatment. It can progress very quickly leading to serious problems such as sepsis and organ failure.

There is no vaccine for necrotising fasciitis. But the following steps may help prevent it:

• • Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, razors etc.
  • Report any deep or serious wounds so that medical advice can be sought as soon as possible if at sea
  • Treat any wounds or breaks to the skin quickly and ensure they remain clean and dry
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
  • Report any symptoms of infection immediately

With thanks to MRL Assist www.mrl-assist.com for providing content for this article.

For more information about Necrotising Fasciitis please visit the following websites;

https://www.cdc.gov/groupastrep/diseases-public/necrotizing-fasciitis.html

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/necrotising-fasciitis/

https://www.sepsis.org/sepsis-and/necrotizing-fasciitis/

Author: MRL Assist
& John Webb
Senior Executive (Claims)