Overview
Necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI), sometimes called 'flesh-eating disease' or 'flesh-eating bacteria infection,' is a rare but life-threatening bacterial infection that rapidly destroys the soft tissues of the body — including the skin, fat layer, and the tissue covering the muscles (called fascia). The most well-known type is necrotizing fasciitis. These infections can spread with alarming speed, sometimes within hours, which is why they are considered medical emergencies. The infection is usually caused by a mix of bacteria, though sometimes a single aggressive bacterium like Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) is responsible. The bacteria release toxins that cut off blood supply to the tissue, causing it to die. This can happen anywhere on the body but is most common on the limbs, abdomen, and groin area. People with diabetes, a weakened immune system, obesity, or recent surgery or injury are at higher risk, though healthy people can also be affected. Symptoms often start with pain that seems out of proportion to any visible wound, followed by swelling, redness, and skin changes. Treatment requires urgent surgery to remove the infected and dead tissue, combined with powerful intravenous antibiotics and intensive care support. Early diagnosis and fast treatment are critical — delays can be fatal. With prompt care, survival is possible, but many survivors face significant long-term challenges including limb loss and lengthy recovery.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Severe pain in the affected area, often much worse than the wound looksSwelling and redness of the skin that spreads quicklySkin that feels warm or hot to the touchSkin that turns purple, gray, or black as tissue diesBlisters or fluid-filled bubbles on the skinSkin that feels numb or loses sensationHigh fever and chillsFeeling very unwell, weak, or confusedRapid heart rate and low blood pressureA crackling or crunching feeling under the skin (caused by gas from bacteria)Foul-smelling discharge from the woundNausea and vomiting
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Variable
Can begin at different ages, from infancy through adulthood
FDA & Trial Timeline
8 eventsCairo University — NA
Ole Hyldegaard — PHASE4
European Society for Trauma and Emergency Surgery
HealthPartners Institute — NA
Benjamin T. Miller — NA
Washington University School of Medicine — NA
University of California, Irvine
University of Cagliari
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Necrotizing soft tissue infection.
6 clinical trialsare actively recruiting — trials can provide access to cutting-edge therapies.
View clinical trials →Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Necrotizing soft tissue infection.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Necrotizing soft tissue infection.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Necrotizing soft tissue infection
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Irrigating vs Traditional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy to Treat Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Necrotizing soft tissue infection
New recruiting trial: Shorter Versus Extended Course of Antibiotic Therapy for Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Necrotizing soft tissue infection
New recruiting trial: The Role of Circadian Clock Proteins in Innate and Adaptive Immunity
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Necrotizing soft tissue infection
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How much of the infection has been removed, and will I need more surgeries?,What are the signs that the infection might be coming back, and when should I go to the emergency room?,Will I need reconstructive surgery or skin grafting, and if so, when?,What rehabilitation services are available to help me regain strength and function?,Are there mental health resources or support groups for NSTI survivors?,What underlying health conditions might have made me more vulnerable, and how can I reduce my risk in the future?,How long is my recovery expected to take, and what milestones should I be working toward?
Common questions about Necrotizing soft tissue infection
What is Necrotizing soft tissue infection?
Necrotizing soft tissue infection (NSTI), sometimes called 'flesh-eating disease' or 'flesh-eating bacteria infection,' is a rare but life-threatening bacterial infection that rapidly destroys the soft tissues of the body — including the skin, fat layer, and the tissue covering the muscles (called fascia). The most well-known type is necrotizing fasciitis. These infections can spread with alarming speed, sometimes within hours, which is why they are considered medical emergencies. The infection is usually caused by a mix of bacteria, though sometimes a single aggressive bacterium like Group A
How is Necrotizing soft tissue infection inherited?
Necrotizing soft tissue infection follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
Are there clinical trials for Necrotizing soft tissue infection?
Yes — 6 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Necrotizing soft tissue infection on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Necrotizing soft tissue infection?
18 specialists and care centers treating Necrotizing soft tissue infection are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.