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Necrotizing fasciitis of the hand

The result of a nasty infection called necrotizing fasciitis - the "flesh-eating infection/bacteria". Notice the puncture wound on the index, that's where the infection started. Chris (@chrisaksel) was on a military exercise when it happened. He had a bacterial infection in his throat for two weeks and streptococcal bacteries from his throat went in to the wound. At first his finger got swollen, and just after 30 minutes his whole hand was swollen and painful. Luckily enough, he got to the hospital in a rush, and if he had come in 30 minutes later they would have had to amputate his arm. Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressive inflammatory infection of the fascia, with secondary necrosis of the subcutaneous tissues. Typically the infection enters the body through a break in the skin such as a cut or burn. Unlike cellulitis, necrotizing fasciitis involves the deeper layers of tissue down to the deep fascia and it is caused by anaerobic bacteria or group A streptococci. Clinical manifestations include fever with an area of erythema. If not treated, the tissue begins to turn gray/black. It spreads quickly and aggressively from the primary infected area and beyond and can result in amputation, shock, and death if not treated by a combination of surgical exploration and debridement (removing the dead tissue - the video shows the result of it) with IV antibiotics. This patient had undergone a fasciotomy, a limb-saving procedure where the fascia was cut to relieve tension or pressure of the underlying tissue due to extensive necrosis. Photo by @chrisaksel