Soft Tissue Infection and Its Treatment : Soft tissue infection or necrotizing soft tissue infection is a serious, life-threatening condition.
Soft tissue infection is caused by bacteria that invade open skin or the tissues under the skin. Staphylococcus aureus or group A beta-hemolytic streptococci are bacteria that can cause soft tissue infection.
These infections can spread quickly from the original infection site to other areas. Infections should be treated as quickly as possible to prevent a life-threatening situation.
People at greater risk of soft tissue infection are those with an open wound or a cut on the skin, especially if the wound has come in contact with dirt.
Other risk factors include people who are suffering from peripheral artery disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer.
Excess intake of alcohol and intravenous drug use can also increase your risk of soft tissue infection.
How do you treat a soft tissue infection?
- Removal of the infected Tissue
The infected tissue is removed to prevent the spread of the infection. The infected tissue can be removed using debridement. In very serious cases, it could require amputating of the affected limb if the limb has been severely infected.
- Antibiotics or antifungal treatments
Antibiotics or antifungal medications can be used for the treatment of bacteria or fungal infection.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
You will be placed in a pressurized room or chamber for some hours so that you can breathe in 100% pure oxygen. Your red blood cells will be able to take in more oxygen which helps to facilitate wound healing.
- Compression
Using a compression band can help prevent additional swelling and blood loss. It also reduces pain and enhances the healing of damaged tissues.
- Tetanus vaccine
Tatanus shot helps to fight and protect against infection.
Is soft tissue infection contagious?
Soft tissue infection is not contagious. It can’t be spread from person to person unless two open wounds or cuts come in contact, which is rare.
Soft tissue infection symptoms
Some of the symptoms of a soft tissue infection include redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, pain, and a loss of function. Sometimes, pus will also be present. You must seek medical advice from a doctor if you show these symptoms.
What is the best vitamin for tissue repair?
Vitamin C is the best vitamin for tissue repair. This is because it is a highly effective antioxidant that protects cells from damage by free radicals. Vitamin C plays a vital role in the synthesis of collagen. It increases the production of collagen which is beneficial to the healing of the skin.
What helps repair tissue?
Eating balanced diets that contain enough calories and lots of protein can help with tissue repair. The body needs enough protein to help build and repair muscle, skin, and other tissues. Protein is very important to the body as it helps to fight infection, balance body fluids, and carry oxygen throughout the body.
Eat foods such as green vegetables, salmon, eggs, berries, poultry, nuts and seeds.
Which antibiotic is best for soft tissue infection?
Some of the best antibiotics for soft tissue infection include:
- Penicillin
- Amoxicillin-clavulanate (Augmentin)
- Cephalexin
- Doxycycline
- Dicloxacillin
- Clindamycin
Can damaged tissue repair itself?
A tissue normally attempts to repair itself by regenerating the same cells that are damaged. In most cases, this cannot be achieved; hence will require replacement with a stromal connective tissue to achieve structural continuity. The ability of a tissue to regenerate and repair itself varies greatly with the type of parenchymal cell.
What are the 3 stages of tissue repair?
1. Inflammatory phase
The first phase is the inflammatory phase. It begins at the time of injury and can last up to four days.
After the injury has occurred, homeostasis begins. The blood vessels constrict and seal themselves off while the platelets form a clot to stop bleeding. The blood vessels begin to dilate to allow nutrients, white blood cells, antibodies, enzymes and other beneficial elements get into the affected area to promote healing. At this stage, you may begin to experience the physical effects of inflammation such as swelling, pain, heat and redness.
2. Proliferative phase
This phase begins about three days after the injury has occurred and overlaps with the inflammatory phase.
At this stage, the wound begins to rebuild with new, healthy granulated tissue. The new healthy granulated tissue is made up of a mixture of extracellular matrix and collagen. It allows for the growth of a new network of blood vessels to replace the damaged ones
3. Remodeling phase
The remodeling phase is also known as the maturation phase. It is the last phase of the wound healing process and can continue for six months to one year or two after injury.
During this phase, the non-functional fibroblasts are replaced by functional ones. Cellular activity declines with time. The number of blood vessels in the affected area also reduces and then recedes.
The wound shouldn’t be neglected even at this stage to prevent the risk of it breaking down again because it is not at its optimal strength. A wound area tends to remain up to 20 percent weaker than the area was before the wound.
What causes a soft tissue infection?
Soft-tissue infections are caused by bacteria entering the body through cuts, scrapes, or breaks in the skin. Once the bacteria gets in these wounds, it travels through the lymphatic system to the nearest lymph nodes.
Lymph nodes are small, bean-sized structures found in the armpit, groin, neck, and abdomen. When bacteria reach a lymph node, it can cause an infection.
These infections are usually caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites. These infections commonly occur in the skin, muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and joints.
How do you get rid of a soft tissue infection?
It’s essential to get rid of a soft-tissue infection as soon as possible because it can spread to the soft tissues around it or other parts of the body. When someone has a mild tissue infection, they should see a health care provider because there are many different kinds of diseases.
The initial step in getting rid of a soft tissue infection is to treat it with antibiotics to kill the bacteria. If you have a mild tissue infection, you might have to take antibiotics for a long time.
