⁠What causes necrotizing fasciitis? Everything to know about the skin disease in the wake of rapper OG Maco's death at 32

OG Maco, the popular rapper, tragically passed away at the age of 32 on Friday, December 27, 2024. The family confirmed the death of the rapper. However, they did not disclose what caused the same. However, media outlet Newsweek reported that OG Maco passed away two weeks after allegedly suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

As per Newsweek, the statement by the family reads:

"With heavy hearts, we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our beloved Ben, known to the world as OG Maco. His life was a testament to resilience, creativity, and boundless love. Through his music, passion, and unwavering spirit, he touched so many lives and left a lasting impact."

Furthermore, the publication also reported that Maco suffered serious wounds, however, he spoke to his fans via social media on December 16, 2024, claiming that he was “critical, but in stable condition.” The rapper was admitted to a hospital in LA on December 12, 2024, after he reportedly suffered a gunshot wound in his head.

Moreover, it is also known that OG Maco suffered from a serious skin condition called necrotizing fasciitis, as he disclosed the same on Instagram in March 2019. As per Cleveland Clinic, necrotizing fasciitis is often called the flesh-eating disease, as it is a bacterial infection that reportedly eats up the tissues under one’s skin.

According to the website, the disease can be acquired when bacteria invade the body through a cut in the skin, an insect bite, or even wounds caused by surgeries or needles.

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“I was improperly treated for a minor rash and ended up with a skin-eating disease”- Details revealed about necrotizing fasciitis as OG Maco revealed his diagnosis in 2019

OG Maco, who was best known for his 2014 song, U Guessed It, passed away on December 27, 2024. However, he once reportedly struggled with necrotizing fasciitis, a disease about which he spoke on his Instagram stories in 2019. At the time, he mentioned to his followers and fans about being diagnosed with the condition and said:

“I was improperly treated for a minor rash and ended up with a skin-eating disease for the last few months.”

In a separate video posted on Instagram in the same year, he talked about the treatment and said:

“I didn’t know if I’d lose my entire face — I almost did. Necrotizing, or any type of flesh-eating bacteria, if you ever get one, just keep the faith [and] follow the regimen your doctors give you.”

As per WebMD, necrotizing fasciitis is a rare skin condition; only 700 to 1,150 people suffer from it yearly. The website also claims that it spreads aggressively in the body; however, it is treatable if the symptoms are reported early. The symptoms of the condition are acute pain, fever, nausea, inflammation, and much more.

Furthermore, the website also reported that the disease is most common in people suffering from alcohol abuse, cancer, diabetes, chronic kidney diseases, heart diseases, cirrhosis, etc.

For the unversed, OG Maco, AKA Benedict Chiajulam Ihesiba Jr., was born in April 1992. The rapper is best known for his studio albums, The God of Rage and OG Maco, which was his last released album in 2023. Furthermore, he also released many EPs, like Live Life 2, Breathe. Yep, Public Speaking, 10 Moons 2, Blvk Phil Collins, and many more.

As the rapper passed away, several netizens have been mourning his death.