Necrotizing fasciitis (NECK-re-tie-zing FASH-e-i-tis) is a rare bacterial infection that spreads quickly in the body and can cause death. Accurate diagnosis, rapid antibiotic treatment, and prompt surgery are important to stopping this infection.

Summary. Necrotising fasciitis is a life-threatening subcutaneous soft-tissue infection that requires a high index of suspicion for diagnosis. Always suspect necrotising fasciitis in a patient with a rapidly progressing soft-tissue infection and any of the following: severe pain (disproportionate to the clinical findings) or anaesthesia over.