Abscess / Gangrene

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.

Symptoms

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
• Thin, shiny skin, or skin without hair
• Skin that feels cool or cold to the touch

If gangrene 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 the body, a condition called septic shock can occur. Signs and symptoms of septic shock include:

• Low blood pressure
• Fever, although some people may have a body temperature lower than 98.6 F (37 C)
• Rapid heart rate
• Lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion

Treatment

Tissue that has been damaged by gangrene can't be saved. But treatment is available to help prevent gangrene from getting worse. The faster you get treatment, the better your chance for recovery.

Treatment for gangrene may include one or more of the following:

• Medication
• Surgery
• Hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Medications

Medications to treat a bacterial infection (antibiotics) are given by IV or taken by mouth.

Pain medications may be given to relieve discomfort.

Surgery or other procedures

Depending on the type of gangrene and its severity, more than one surgery may be needed. Surgery for gangrene includes:

• Debridement. This type of surgery is done to remove the infected tissue and stop the infection from spreading.
• Vascular surgery. Surgery may be done to repair any damaged or diseased blood vessels to restore blood flow to the infected area.
• Amputation. In severe cases of gangrene, the infected body part — such as a toe, finger, arm or leg — may need to be surgically removed (amputated). You may later be fitted with an artificial limb (prosthesis).
• Skin grafting (reconstructive surgery). Sometimes, surgery is needed to repair damaged skin or to improve the appearance of gangrene-related scars. Such surgery may be done using a skin graft. During a skin graft, the surgeon removes healthy skin from another part of the body and places it over the affected area. A skin graft can be done only if there is enough blood supply to the area.