Necrotizing soft tissue infection: when to get help
Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Go to an emergency department now or call emergency services for severe or rapidly worsening pain, swelling, or skin changes, especially when the pain seems much worse than the visible injury.
Other emergency warning signs include:
Redness or swelling spreading over hours
Purple, grey, or black skin
Blisters, skin numbness, or blood-stained fluid
Fever with confusion, faintness, fast breathing, or extreme weakness
Severe illness after surgery, childbirth, an injection, or a wound
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Do not wait for all symptoms to appear.
Do not drive yourself if you feel faint, confused, or severely unwell.
After hospital treatment, contact the follow-up team promptly if a wound becomes more painful, starts draining new fluid, develops spreading redness, or opens.
And for anyone, someone who:
has a fever with a stiff neck, a rash that does not fade under pressure, or severe headache
has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Routine concerns about scar care, rehabilitation, sleep, or returning to work can usually be discussed at scheduled follow-up appointments unless symptoms are worsening quickly.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Necrotizing soft tissue infection. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.