Who is at risk of getting flesh-eating skin disease (necrotizing fasciiti)?

There are contributing factors to necrotizing fasciiti). Either your health is in some way compromised, or you have recently had a skin breach that may have been exposed to the bacteria. The following people are considered to be at increased risk of contracting this disease:

• If you have a skin wound of some kind that has been exposed to ocean water or if you have handled raw sea creatures like crabs, oysters, or saltwater fish with a cut on your hand.

• If you have intestinal injury such as surgery, a gunshot, or a tumor.

• If you have a suppressed immune system either from disease or from taking medical steroids that lower your body’s resistance to infection.

• If you have chronic health problems such as cancer, diabetes, liver or kidney disease.

• If you have recently had a rash from a viral infection like chickenpox.

• If you have had just a skin cut, or recent surgery.