Rapidly Progressive Necrotizing Fasciitis of the Lower Limb Following Self-Drainage of an Abscess: Prompt Recognition and Initial Management at a District Healthcare Centre

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare but rapidly progressive infection of the fascia and subcutaneous tissue that can arise following trauma, surgical wounds, or minor skin breaches. Early stages often mimic cellulitis, making timely diagnosis challenging. This case report describes a 52-year-old male patient who presented with erythema and swelling of the left foot and ankle, initially diagnosed as cellulitis in the setting of septic shock. Despite nonspecific imaging and laboratory findings, the rapid progression of cutaneous changes raised clinical suspicion for NF. Emergent surgical debridement confirmed the diagnosis, and the patient was managed postoperatively in the intensive care unit with broad-spectrum antibiotics and serial wound care. This case highlights the limitations of early diagnostic tools, emphasizes the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion, and demonstrates how timely surgical intervention can significantly improve patient outcomes with NF.