Overview
Gangrene is the result of your body’s tissues dying from a lack of blood flow. It frequently begins on the tips of limbs, such as fingers or toes. However, it can develop anyplace blood cannot reach. A patch of discolored skin (red, brown, purple, green, or black) is what gangrene looks like. Blisters that leak pus or blood may be present in the area. Early intervention can save lives.
Gangrene is death of body tissue due to a lack of blood flow or a serious bacterial infection. Gangrene commonly affects the arms and legs, including the toes and fingers. It can also occur in the muscles and in organs inside the body, such as the gallbladder.
A condition that can damage the blood vessels and affect blood flow, such as diabetes or hardened arteries (atherosclerosis), increases the risk of gangrene.
Treatments for gangrene may include antibiotics, oxygen therapy, and surgery to restore blood flow and remove dead tissue. The earlier gangrene is identified and treated, the better the chances for recovery.
Who is Affected?
Gangrene can strike anyone, especially after a severe injury, although some people are more susceptible than others.
These include those who suffer from chronic illnesses that can impact the blood vessels, like:
- Diabetes is a disorder that results in an excessively elevated blood sugar level.
- Atherosclerosis is a condition in which fatty deposits called plaque block the arteries, narrowing them and reducing blood flow.
- Peripheral arterial disease is a condition in which the arteries’ accumulation of fatty deposits limits the flow of blood to the leg muscles.
- Raynaud’s disease is characterized by aberrant blood vessel reactions to cold temperatures in certain body areas, typically the fingers or toes.
Gangrene types
Gangrene comes in a variety of forms:
Dry gangrene
Gangrene that is dry. This occurs when there isn’t an infection yet blood can’t get to a particular part of your body. You won’t have any open blisters or pus, and your skin will feel dry to the touch. Dry gangrene is frequently caused by atherosclerosis, or plaque accumulation in the arteries.
Wet gangrene
This is a bacterial illness along with disturbed blood flow. Your skin develops blisters that discharge pus, or the “wet” element. Nearby tissues are rapidly affected by wet gangrene.
Gangrene from gas
Your blood cells and soft tissues are destroyed by this bacterial infection. In your muscle tissue, bacteria grow rapidly, producing toxins and gas.
Gangrene inside. Internal organ blood flow is obstructed. Your appendix, intestines, and gallbladder are among the many organs that are impacted.
What signs of gangrene are present?
The location and origin of gangrene determine its symptoms. A crimson line surrounding the affected area is frequently the first sign of dry gangrene. After that, this area becomes dark and dry.
- Other signs of gangrene include:
- Affected regions numbness and coldness
- Pain within or outside the afflicted region
- swelling and redness surrounding a wound. This frequently indicates moist gangrene.
- Recurrent sores that appear in the same spot
- ongoing, inexplicable fever that is greater than 100.4°F (38°C)
- An unpleasant-smelling wound
- striking skin discoloration in tones of blue, red, golden, or greenish-black
- discharge or pus from a wound
- A crackling sensation beneath the skin and blisters
- Weakness, diarrhea, muscle soreness, and appetite loss
Diagnosis of Gangrene
Your doctor will inquire about your medical history and symptoms. You might have:
blood examinations. These search for bacteria or seek for infection-related symptoms, like an excess of white blood cells.
imaging examinations. Your doctor can determine whether gas has accumulated in your tissues and whether your gangrene has spread by using CT and MRI scans. In order to evaluate blood flow and check for blocked arteries, your doctor will inject dye into your blood and then take an X-ray.
cultures. To check for bacteria or tissue death, your doctor may take a sample of blood, fluid, or tissue and examine it under a microscope.
surgery. Your doctor can use this to determine whether internal gangrene has spread or to confirm it.
Treatment for Gangrene
Debridement of tissue
It could be necessary to remove the dead tissue or body part in severe gangrene situations. Debridement is the term for this procedure. Chemicals or surgical instruments can be used for this. In order to stop the infection from spreading and to get rid of the dead tissue from the body, this kind of surgery aims to remove the afflicted areas.
Antibiotics
If bacteria are found, your doctor might recommend antibiotics. Usually, these are administered intravenously, or straight into your circulation via a needle.
Vascular surgery
Vascular surgery, or surgery on the arteries or veins, may be advised for patients with poor circulation that leads to gangrene in order to enhance the flow of blood to body tissues via the veins.