What is Necrotizing Fasciitis/ Necrotizing Myositis?

Myositis is a group of rare conditions where the body’s immune system turns against itself and destroys healthy muscle tissue instead of building new muscle tissue, leading to muscle weakness and other systemic symptoms. Myositis is also described as a collection of Immune Mediated Myopathies.


Necrotizing fasciitis is an infection causing fascia (tissue covering muscles) death, while necrotizing myositis is an infection causing muscle death. These are both types of rapidly spreading, severe necrotizing soft tissue infections sometimes called “flesh-eating disease,”. Because the infection can spread from the fascia to the underlying muscles, a case of necrotizing fasciitis can rapidly develop into necrotizing myositis, making the conditions often co-occur. 

Urgent medical care is required Necrotizing Fasciitis and Necrotizing Myositis are potentially fatal.

Signs and Symptoms

Early signs of Necrotizing Fasciitis/ Myositis are easily missed and are often confused for a minor, superficial skin infection.

Overtime, as the infection rapidly spreads, pain and illness will worsen and become very severe. By about 4-5 days, the individual is very ill with a severe drop in blood pressure and high temperature.

Necrotizing Fasciitis/ Myositis signs and symptoms:

  • Pain or soreness, similar to that of a pulled muscle
  • Flu-like symptoms, such as nausea, fever, diarrhea, dizziness and general illness
  • A fine, crackling sensation under the skin (crepitus)
  • Swelling and tenderness
  • Redness and warmth
  • Intense thirst
  • Fatigue
  • Weakness
  • Rash
  • Blisters filled with dark, foul-smelling fluid
  • Skin discoloration, peeling and flakiness.

Critical symptoms

• Altered levels of consciousness
• Unconsciousness/ seizures
• Dangerously low blood pressure
• High temperature
• Signs of Toxic shock such as vomiting, diarrhea, sensitivity to light, kidney failure

What causes Necrotizing Fasciitis/ Myositis?

Necrotizing fasciitis/ myositis is caused by several kinds of bacteria entering the body, usually by injury to the skin.
(Small cut, scrape, graze, pinprick, injection, insect bites, surgical wound)

At times high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) will be used to determine the extent of the infection.

How is Necrotizing Fasciitis/ Myositis managed?

  • Surgery to remove damaged or dead tissue and fluids in order to stop the spread of infection.
  • Medicines (such as antibiotics)
  • Procedures to treat complications such as shock, breathing problems, and organ failure
  • Cardiac monitoring and breathing aids
  • Amputating limbs or removing organs may be done to save a patient’s life, depending on how severe the infection is and where in the body it has spread
  • Blood transfusions

What research is being done?

Research is ongoing to learn more about Necrotizing Fasciitis/Myositis and test potential treatments. The details for a number of studies related to ‘necrotizing soft tissue infections’ can be found on the clinicaltrials.gov website.

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