Both necrotizing fasciitis and gas gangrene are diseases characterized by rapid, spreading tissue ...

Necrotizing fasciitis is characterized by widespread necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue and the fascia. It is caused by Streptococcus pyogenes. Gas gangrene is a bacterial infection that produce gas in tissue and gangrene caused by Clostridium perfringens. Both Gas gangrene and necrotizing fasciitis are acute infections that develop quickly and involve the skin and muscle tissue. These infections can occur spontaneously, after an injury, or following surgery. The bacterias that cause these infections thrive in areas with low oxygen levels, such as those that may occur in the tissues after injury or surgery. While many wounds have these bacteria in them only about 3 percent develop into an infection. The bacteria produce toxins that break down tissues and blood cells and can make a person sick very quickly. This process can be arrested with antibiotics (penicillin G, aminoglycoside and clindamycin) , surgery and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBO2).