The earlier gangrene is identified and treated, the better your chances for recovery. If you have a type of gangrene that affects tissues beneath the surface of your skin, such as gas gangrene or internal gangrene, you may also have a low-grade fever and generally feel unwell. If the germs that caused the gangrene spread through your body, septic shock can occur. Signs and symptoms of septic shock include:. Gangrene is a serious condition and needs emergency treatment.
Call your doctor right away if you have persistent, unexplained pain in any area of your body along with one or more of the following signs and symptoms:. Gangrene results when blood flow to a certain area of your body is interrupted, causing tissue decay and death. Gangrene often affects the fingers or toes.
Wet gangrene. Gangrene is referred to as wet if there's a bacterial infection in the affected tissue. Swelling, blistering and a wet appearance are common features of wet gangrene. Wet gangrene may develop after a severe burn, frostbite or injury. It often occurs in people with diabetes who unknowingly injure a toe or foot. Wet gangrene needs to be treated immediately because it spreads quickly and can be deadly. Gas gangrene. Gas gangrene typically affects deep muscle tissue.
People with diabetes have an increased risk of developing gangrene. This is because the high blood sugar levels associated with the condition can damage your nerves, particularly those in your feet, which can make it easy to injure yourself without realising. High blood sugar can also damage your blood vessels, restricting the blood supply to your feet. Less blood means your feet will also receive fewer infection-fighting cells, so wounds will take longer to heal and are more likely to become infected.
It's therefore important that you take extra care of your feet if you have diabetes. Read more about foot care in preventing gangrene. You're also at an increased risk of developing gangrene if you experience a traumatic injury or serious damage to your skin and tissues, such as:. Learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment options in this article.
What you need to know about gangrene. Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. What is gangrene? Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Gangrene happens when a lack of oxygen-rich blood causes tissue to die in some part of the body, often the hands or feet. Share on Pinterest Gangrene refers to the death and rotting of skin tissue and skin cells. Share on Pinterest Deep or crushing injuries sustained in bacteria-rich conditions, such as a battlefield, can lead to gangrene.
Share on Pinterest Gangrene can be treated in a hyperbaric chamber using oxygen therapy. Latest news Could 'cupping' technique boost vaccine delivery? Scientists identify new cause of vascular injury in type 2 diabetes. Adolescent depression: Could school screening help? Related Coverage. How to choose the best skin care products Different skin types require different skin care products. How to prevent and improve crepey skin A look at crepey skin, a common complaint where the skin looks thin and wrinkled.
Sebaceous hyperplasia: What you need to know. The goal of this type of surgery is to remove the affected areas to prevent the spread of infection and rid the body of the dead tissue. One alternative form of debridement, known as maggot debridement, uses fly larvae to eat away bacteria and dead tissue.
Though rare, this practice can still be used by physicians in the United States and abroad. Doctors are sometimes able to restore the flow of oxygen to the affected area.
Skin grafts can repair any damaged tissue. This procedure uses a piece of your healthy skin from elsewhere on the body to cover the damaged area. For severe cases, amputation of a limb, finger, or toe could be necessary to save your life. People who must have part of an arm or leg amputated due to gangrene may be fitted with a prosthesis, or artificial limb, to replace the missing body part.
Gangrene can sometimes be treated without serious complications, especially if it is caught early. To keep more tissue from dying, gangrene must be treated early to minimize the damage. People who have diabetes or a blood vessel disease should regularly check their hands and feet for gangrene symptoms. Watch for:. Taking antibiotics before or after having surgery, under the care of your doctor, may help you prevent the development of gangrenous infections.
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