Final answer:
Mark most likely contracted necrotizing fasciitis, a serious bacterial infection signaled by rapid skin changes, systemic symptoms, and severe illness. He waited too long to seek medical attention, as the initial signs of infection in a diabetic individual require prompt medical care. Conditions like psoriasis and eczema are unlikely in this case due to the severity and rapid progression of symptoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the provided clinical focus, Mark appears to have contracted a severe bacterial infection known as necrotizing fasciitis, which is often referred to as a 'flesh-eating' disease. This condition typically arises from a bacterial infection entering through a break in the skin, such as the scrape Mark received from blackberry brambles. The presence of redness, swelling, fever, and the rapid progression of symptoms including a rapidly spreading rash with blisters that developed into purplish black areas of skin are indicative of this serious condition.
Yes, Mark did wait too long to seek medical attention. He should have sought medical care when he first noticed redness, swelling, and increased warmth in the area, which are signs of a spreading infection. His condition was further complicated by his type II diabetes, which can impair the immune system and circulation, thereby making infections more severe and slower to heal.
While other skin conditions manifest with rashes and blisters, such as psoriasis and eczema, they do not typically cause the severe systemic symptoms that Mark experienced. Instead, these conditions result in chronic, but localized skin problems. The dramatic spread and systemic impact of Mark's infection, along with his critical decline in the hospital, highlight the aggressive nature of necrotizing fasciitis.