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•Overview
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•When to see a doctor
•Causes
•Risk factors
•Complications
When gangrene affects the skin, signs and symptoms may include:
•Changes in skin color — ranging from pale gray to blue, purple, black, bronze or red
•Swelling
•Blisters
•Sudden, severe pain followed by a feeling of numbness
•A foul-smelling discharge leaking from a sore
Gangrene is a serious condition and needs emergency treatment. Call your health care provider immediately if you have persistent, unexplained pain in any area of your body along with one or more of the following signs and symptoms:
•Persistent fever
•Skin changes — including discoloration, warmth, swelling, blisters or lesions — that won't go away
•A foul-smelling discharge leaking from a sore
•Sudden pain at the site of a recent surgery or trauma
•Skin that's pale, hard, cold and numb
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Causes of gangrene include:
•Lack of blood supply. The blood provides oxygen and nutrients to the body. It also provides the immune system with antibodies to fight infections. Without a proper blood supply, cells can't survive, and tissue dies.
•Infection. An untreated bacterial infection can cause gangrene.
•Traumatic injury. Gunshot wounds or crushing injuries from car crashes can cause open wounds that let bacteria into the body. If the bacteria infect tissues and remain untreated, gangrene can occur.
Things that can increase the risk of gangrene include:
•Diabetes. High blood sugar levels can eventually damage blood vessels. Blood vessel damage can slow or block blood flow to a part of the body.
•Blood vessel disease. Hardened and narrowed arteries (atherosclerosis) and blood clots can block blood flow to an area of the body.
•Severe injury or surgery. Any process that causes trauma to the skin and underlying tissue, including frostbite, increases the risk of gangrene. The risk is greater if you have an underlying condition that affects blood flow to the injured area.
•Smoking. People who smoke have a higher risk of gangrene.
•Obesity. Extra weight can push on arteries, slowing blood flow and increasing the risk of infection and poor wound healing.
Gangrene can lead to serious complications if it's not immediately treated. Bacteria can spread quickly to other tissues and organs. You may need to have a body part removed (amputated) to save your life.
Removal of infected tissue can lead to scarring or the need for reconstructive surgery.
Here are a few ways to help reduce the risk of developing gangrene:
•Manage diabetes. If you have diabetes, it's important to control your blood sugar levels. Also make sure you examine your hands and feet daily for cuts, sores and signs of infection, such as redness, swelling or drainage. Ask your health care provider to check your hands and feet at least once a year.
•Lose weight. Extra pounds raise the risk of diabetes. The weight also puts pressure on the arteries, slowing blood flow. Decreased blood flow increases infection risk and causes slow wound healing.
•Don't smoke or use tobacco. Long-term of tobacco damages the blood vessels.
•Wash your hands. Practice good hygiene. Wash any open wounds with a mild soap and water. Keep the hands clean and dry until they heal.
•Check for frostbite. Frostbite reduces blood flow in the affected body area. If you have skin that's pale, hard, cold and numb after being in cold temperatures, call your care provider.
Gangrene is a serious condition where a loss of blood supply causes body tissue to die. It can affect any part of the body but typically starts in the toes, feet, fingers and hands. Gangrene can occur as a result of an injury, infection or a long-term condition that affects blood circulation.
Oct 28, 2022 · Gangrene is a serious condition in which a part of the body begins to decay. This process is often described as tissue death or necrosis. Gangrene can occur when an extremity of the body—hands, feet, nose, ears—becomes severely deprived of blood flow or develops an overwhelming infection.
General symptoms of gangrene include: red, purple or black skin in the affected area, which may be harder to see on black or brown skin. swelling of the affected area. either a loss of sensation or severe pain in the affected area.
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