Gangrene
Death of body tissue from lost blood flow or infection
Quick Facts
- Type: Serious tissue and vascular condition
- Main causes: Loss of blood supply, severe infection
- Common sites: Toes, fingers, feet, and limbs
- Urgency: A medical emergency
Overview
Gangrene is the death of body tissue that happens when an area loses its blood supply or is overwhelmed by a serious infection. Without enough blood, tissue does not get the oxygen and nutrients it needs to survive, and it begins to break down and die. It most commonly affects the toes, fingers, feet, and hands, but it can occur in muscles and internal organs as well.
Gangrene is a serious, potentially life-threatening condition that needs urgent medical care. The earlier it is treated, the better the chance of saving tissue and limiting its spread. Some forms, especially those involving rapidly spreading infection, can become deadly within hours.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the type and location of gangrene. Skin and tissue changes are common warning signs.
- Skin that turns pale, then blue, purple, black, or bronze
- Coldness and numbness in the affected area, or severe pain
- A clear line between healthy and damaged tissue
- Sores or a foul-smelling discharge
- Skin that appears shiny, tight, or develops blisters
If infection spreads, there may be fever, a rapid heartbeat, confusion, and feeling very unwell, which point to a dangerous, body-wide reaction needing emergency care.
Causes
Gangrene develops from loss of blood flow, infection, or both. There are several types:
- Dry gangrene: Caused by gradually reduced blood flow, often from conditions like diabetes or peripheral artery disease; the tissue becomes dry, dark, and shriveled.
- Wet gangrene: Involves infection along with poor blood flow; it spreads faster and is more dangerous.
- Gas gangrene: A rapidly progressing infection deep in the muscle, a true emergency.
- Internal gangrene: Affects organs when their blood supply is blocked, such as the intestines.
Risk Factors
- Diabetes
- Peripheral artery disease and other circulation problems
- Serious injury, frostbite, or burns
- Recent surgery or a deep wound
- Smoking
- A weakened immune system
- Obesity
Diagnosis
Because gangrene is urgent, diagnosis is usually quick and based on examination plus tests. These may include:
- Physical examination: Of the skin, tissue, and circulation.
- Blood tests: To look for infection and assess overall health.
- Imaging: X-rays, CT, or MRI to see how deep the damage goes and whether gas is present in tissue.
- Tissue or fluid cultures: To identify the bacteria involved.
Treatment
Treatment aims to remove dead tissue, control infection, and restore blood flow. It often combines several approaches:
- Surgery (debridement): Removing the dead tissue to stop gangrene from spreading.
- Antibiotics: Given through a vein to fight infection.
- Restoring blood flow: Procedures or surgery to reopen or bypass blocked arteries.
- Amputation: Removal of a severely affected toe, finger, or limb when tissue cannot be saved, to protect the rest of the body.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy: Used for certain infections such as gas gangrene.
- Supportive care for serious infection.
Prevention
- Manage diabetes carefully and check your feet daily for sores or changes
- Do not smoke, which damages blood vessels
- Treat wounds promptly and keep them clean
- Manage circulation problems and conditions like peripheral artery disease
- Protect against frostbite in cold weather
- Seek prompt care for any wound that is not healing or shows signs of infection
When to See a Doctor
Seek emergency care immediately if you notice skin turning blue, purple, or black, an area that becomes cold, numb, or severely painful, a foul-smelling wound, or signs of spreading infection such as fever, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or feeling very unwell. Gangrene is a medical emergency, and fast treatment can save tissue and lives.
People with diabetes or circulation problems should have any non-healing sore, especially on the feet, checked right away, before it has a chance to progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is gangrene?
Gangrene is the death of body tissue, usually because the area has lost its blood supply or has been overwhelmed by a serious infection. It most often affects the toes, fingers, feet, and hands but can also involve muscles and internal organs.
What causes gangrene?
The main causes are loss of blood flow, often from diabetes, peripheral artery disease, injury, or frostbite, and serious infection. Dry gangrene comes mainly from poor circulation, while wet and gas gangrene involve infection and spread faster.
Is gangrene a medical emergency?
Yes. Gangrene is serious and potentially life-threatening, and some forms can spread within hours. Skin turning blue or black, severe pain, a foul-smelling wound, or signs of spreading infection need emergency care right away.
How is gangrene treated?
Treatment usually combines surgery to remove dead tissue, intravenous antibiotics for infection, and procedures to restore blood flow. When tissue cannot be saved, amputation may be needed to protect the rest of the body.
How can gangrene be prevented?
Key steps include managing diabetes and checking the feet daily, not smoking, treating wounds promptly, managing circulation problems, protecting against frostbite, and seeking care quickly for any non-healing or infected sore.
References
- Mayo Clinic. Gangrene — Symptoms and causes.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Gangrene.
- National Health Service (NHS). Gangrene.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).