Gangrene

Blood travels throughout the whole body, and in the case of gangrene, there is a problem in the blood flow in a certain body area, which could lead to very serious complications.

Gangrene

Gangrene is the death of a body tissue that results from a lack of blood flow in it. Gangrene mostly starts in the hand or foot, but it could affect anywhere in the body.

Types of gangrene

• Dry gangrene, which happens when the blood flow in a certain area of the body is reduced.
• Wet gangrene, which occurs when an infection hits a body tissue.
• Gas gangrene, which is a result of an infection that affects deep muscle tissue and progresses to the skin surface.
• Fournier’s gangrene, which affects the genital area, especially in men, and it’s rare.
• Internal gangrene, which occurs in an internal organ of the body.

Causes and risk factors leading to gangrene

Gangrene mainly occurs when there is a lack of blood supply to a certain area or due to an infection.

The following factors increase the risk of gangrene:

• Health conditions, including diabetes and blood vessel diseases, like atherosclerosis, vasculitis, peripheral artery disease, and Raynaud’s syndrome (the blood vessels in the fingers and toes are very sensitive to cold).
• Severe injury or surgery.
• Severe skin injuries, like burns and frostbite.
• A weak immune system.
• Obesity and smoking.

Symptoms of gangrene

A gangrene in the skin usually manifests as:

• Skin color changes, which become red, purple, green, or black.
• The skin becomes cold or sensitive to touch.
• Blisters or sores that excrete bad-smelling pus or blood.
• A thin or hairless skin.
• Swelling of the affected area.
• Intense pain or not feeling a thing at all.
• If not managed quickly, gangrene could lead to the loss of the affected part, sepsis, or organ failure, and sometimes, it might be fatal.

Diagnosis of gangrene

• Physical examination.
• Blood tests.
• Imaging tests.
• Tissue or fluid cultures.

Treatment of gangrene

Treating gangrene depends on preventing it from spreading to further tissue by:

• Removing the dead tissue (debridement).
• Medications.
• Certain procedures to improve the blood flow.
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy to heal the tissue.
• Amputation, when needed.
• You can reduce the risk of gangrene by managing diabetes, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and practicing good hygiene.