Fournier's syndrome is a rare disease, caused by a bacterial infection, which affects the genital region and causes the death of cells, leading to the appearance of symptoms similar to those of gangrene, such as severe pain, foul smell and swelling of the region.
Fournier's syndrome is more common in men than in women, in addition children and the elderly are more affected due to the weakening of the immune system, which is unable to eliminate the bacteria responsible for the disease.
This syndrome is curable and is not contagious, however its treatment should be started as soon as possible as the amount of dead cells increases over time, and can be life-threatening.
Symptoms of Fournier's Syndrome
The symptoms of Fournier's Syndrome can be quite painful and uncomfortable, the main ones being:
- Skin of the red intimate region that later evolves to darkened; Intense and constant pain; Foul smell and swelling of the region; Fever above 38ºC; Excessive tiredness.
The presence of the bacteria in the intimate region causes severe infection and interrupts the blood circulation in the region, which results in the death of the tissue, which is known as gangrene. Learn more about gangrene.
How the treatment is done
Treatment is usually started with surgery to remove all dead skin and cells, preventing the development of the disease. In addition, a piece is sent to the laboratory in order to confirm the presence of the E. coli bacterium, which is the bacterium most associated with this situation, or of other equally pathogenic bacteria.
Then, depending on the degree of development of gangrene, the doctor may also recommend the use of oral antibiotics or directly into the vein, such as Vancomycin or Ampicillin, to prevent the disease from reoccurring and fighting the bacteria.
In the most severe cases, it may be necessary to remove a lot of affected skin and tissues and, therefore, the patient may be hospitalized from a few days to several days until the skin and all affected tissues grow back.
Because it is a mutilating disease, some patients may still need to undergo further surgery to reconstruct the intimate region, as well as psychological treatment to support and clarify doubts. See more about how this disease is treated.
What can cause the syndrome
The causes of Fournier's syndrome are not yet known, but the disease is related to the development of E. coli bacteria and other pathogenic microorganisms in the tissues of the intimate region, which arise due to:
- Lack of hygiene; Pleats on the skin, which accumulate bacteria; Diabetes mellitus; Morbid obesity; Malnutrition; Low vascularization and thrombosis in the region's blood vessels; Bumps with hematoma formation; Sepsis; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Urinary Tract Infection; Small infections.
Other risk factors include malignancies, cirrhosis, alcoholism, hypertension and drug abuse. In addition, the overuse of antibiotics contributes to the increase in cases of the disease.
