Necrotising Fasciitis Bullae
The appearance of bullae is a feature of necrotising fasciitis, a rare but severe bacterial infection.
Bullae
Bullae are large fluid-filled sacs that develop underneath the skin. 'Bulla' is the singular form of 'bullae'. In Latin, 'bulla' means bubble. A bulla is larger than a blister, usually measuring over half a centimetre.
Necrotising fasciitis and bullae
There are various reasons why someone may develop bullae, such as dermatitis and friction. A less common reason is necrotising fasciitis, a bacterial infection that causes tissue death.
The formation of bullae is an advanced symptom of necrotising fasciitis. Before this symptom appears, the patient will already be suffering from fever, extreme pain in the tissue with no obvious cause, and skin discoloration.
As the condition progresses, the skin changes will become more pronounced. The skin will turn dark red/purple/black in colour and then bullae will appear. The bullae happen due to a lack of oxygen in the tissue.
The formation of bullae sets necrotising fasciitis apart from other skin conditions such as cellulitis. It is important that medical practitioners appreciate this, as necrotising fasciitis is often mistaken for cellulitis. The presence of bullae should lead them to the correct diagnosis.
Failure to recognise signs of necrotising fasciitis
If medical practitioners fail to understand the patient's symptoms, resulting in a delay in diagnosis and treatment, the standard of care could be deemed unacceptable.
Necrotising fasciitis is a potentially fatal condition if it is not treated immediately. The treatment required is intravenous antibiotics and emergency debridement surgery to remove the dead tissue.
Without this treatment, the bacteria will spread around the body, causing more tissue to die. The infection may also trigger a septic response, an illness associated with organ dysfunction.
These complications are extremely serious. Not only will the patient require more extensive tissue removal when debridement is finally performed, he/she will also fall into a critical condition due to organ shut-down.
Taking legal action
Failing to identify the key signs of necrotising fasciitis can have devastating effects for the patient. If you or your loved one has suffered a delay in the diagnosis and treatment of necrotising fasciitis, there could be a case of medical negligence.
To find out whether you are eligible to pursue a claim for compensation, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at Glynns Solicitors. We specialise in this area of the law and will be more than happy to help.
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To make a necrotising fasciitis medical negligence compensation claim, please get in touch with us today.
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