Introduction

Necrotising fasciitis is a rare but serious bacterial infection that affects the tissue beneath the skin, and surrounding muscles and organs (fascia).

It's sometimes called the "flesh-eating disease", although the bacteria that cause itdon't "eat" flesh they release toxins that damage nearby tissue.

Necrotising fasciitiscan start from a relatively minor injury, such as a small cut, but gets worse very quickly and can belife-threatening if it's not recognised and treated early on.

This page covers:

Symptoms

When to get medical help

Treatments

Outlook

Causes

Prevention

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 25 Nov 2016