Representational image (Image via Pexels/ Marek Piwnicki)

OG Maco, an Atlanta-based rapper who boasts a popular hit U Guessed It experienced a major health scare that he disclosed to his fans. In March 2019, he posted on Instagram about suffering from necrotizing fasciitis.

Necrotizing fasciitis also known as the “flesh-eating disease” is a severe bacterial infection that results in cliffs of the soft tissues. This condition is commonly brought about by bacteria such as group A Streptococcus among others. The condition is quite dangerous and must be treated early because of the severity and since it may lead to fatal complications.

The signs of necrotizing fasciitis may appear rapidly, in a matter of hours or a few days from the beginning signs of infection. Early signs include:

Severe Pain: A patient presenting with this condition may feel severe pain in the region of the affected area, which may be disproportionate to the observed signs. This pain can be localized to the site of the infected area but can radiate just like pain in a pulled muscle or torn tissue.

Redness and Swelling: Parts that are affected could look reddened, warm, and puffed. Also, such redness can extend, and this can be a sign of infection worsening.

Fever and Flu-like Symptoms: Causes include mild flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, nausea, and body aches.

Progressive Symptoms

As necrotizing fasciitis advances, additional symptoms may manifest:

Skin Changes: Skin may become purple or black with some thickened lesions that may develop blistering or ulcers. These color changes may be less evident in skin-of-color dermatology.

Pus or Oozing: Bad-smelling discharge from the infected part could also be a sign of serious infection.

Systemic Effects: Patients’ signs of a spreading infection include dizziness, confusion, palpitations, hypotension, and sepsis.

Due to the virulent nature of this condition, it is important for individuals suffering from the described signs – after the injury or surgery – to receive adequate medical attention as soon as possible. When patients do not receive care on time they can suffer from worsened conditions, organ failure, and even death.

OG Maco’s case

Maco was diagnosed with this bacterial infection after receiving what he said was the wrong treatment for a skin rash. According to Complex, OG Maco revealed in a since-deleted Instagram post:

“I was improperly treated for a minor rash and ended up with a skin-eating disease for the last few months. This is the best it’s looked. I hope it gives someone hope.”

He revealed that due to such mismanagement, this infection developed and it is the one that occurs when bacteria penetrate through abrasion or cuts, bites from insects, or through surgical operations. In his posts, he expressed the fear and uncertainty surrounding his condition, stating:

“I was scared; I didn’t know what was going to happen; I didn’t know if I was going to lose my entire face…I almost did. My friend told me the other day that maybe I should share what I’ve been going through instead of beating myself down for feeling how I felt about it, which I wanted to die a bunch of days.”

Maco’s fight with necrotizing fasciitis affected his personal as well as professional life. He openly discusses the times he experienced loneliness during the time of his recovery never finding support from friends and family.

“I’ve been going through this alone 90% of the time, without the support of the person I love, without most of my ‘friends,’ without anything but my own strength and God.”