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Definition

Gangrene is the death of tissue in part of the body.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Gangrene happens when a body part loses its blood supply. This may happen from injury, an infection, or other causes. You have a higher risk for gangrene if you have:

  • A serious injury
  • Blood vessel disease (such as arteriosclerosis, also called hardening of the arteries, in your arms or legs)
  • Diabetes
  • Suppressed immune system (for example, from HIV or chemotherapy)
  • Surgery
Symptoms

The symptoms depend on the location and cause of the gangrene. If the skin is involved, or the gangrene is close to the skin, the symptoms may include:

  • Discoloration (blue or black if skin is affected; red or bronze if the affected area is beneath the skin)
  • Foul-smelling discharge
  • Loss of feeling in the area (which may happen after severe pain in the area)

If the affected area is inside the body (such as gangrene of the gallbladder or gas gangrene), the symptoms may include:

  • Confusion
  • Fever
  • Gas in tissues beneath the skin
  • General ill feeling
  • Low blood pressure
  • Persistent or severe pain
Signs and tests

The doctor may diagnose gangrene from a physical examination. In addition, the following tests and procedures may be used to diagnose gangrene:

  • Arteriogram (special x-ray to see any blockages in the blood vessels) to help plan treatment for blood vessel disease
  • Blood tests (white blood cell [WBC] count may be high)
  • CT scan to examine internal organs
  • Culture of the tissue or fluid from wounds to identify bacterial infection
  • Examining tissue under the microscope to look for cell death
  • Surgery to find and remove dead tissue
  • X-rays
Treatment

Gangrene requires urgent evaluation and treatment. In general, dead tissue should be removed to allow healing of the surrounding living tissue and prevent further infection. Depending on the area that has the gangrene, the person's overall condition, and the cause of the gangrene, treatment may include:

  • Amputating the body part that has gangrene
  • An emergency operation to find and remove dead tissue
  • An operation to improve blood supply to the area
  • Antibiotics
  • Repeated operations to remove dead tissue (debridement)
  • Treatment in the intensive care unit (for severely ill patients)
Expectations (prognosis)

What to expect depends on where the gangrene is in the body, how much gangrene there is, and the person's overall condition. If treatment is delayed, the gangrene is extensive, or the person has other significant medical problems, they may die.

Complications

Complications depend on where in the body the gangrene is, how much gangrene there is, the cause of the gangrene, and the person's overall condition. Complications can include:

  • Disability from amputation or removal of dead tissue
  • Prolonged wound healing or the need for reconstructive surgery, such as skin grafting
Calling your health care provider

Call your doctor immediately if:

  • A wound does not heal or there are frequent sores in an area
  • An area of your skin turns blue or black
  • There is foul-smelling discharge from any wound on your body
  • You have persistent, unexplained pain in an area
  • You have persistent, unexplained fever
Prevention

Gangrene may be prevented if it is treated before the tissue damage is irreversible. Wounds should be treated properly and watched carefully for signs of infection (such as spreading redness, swelling, or drainage) or failure to heal.

People with diabetes or blood vessel disease should routinely examine their feet for any signs of injury, infection, or change in skin color and seek care as needed.

References

Belkin M, Owens CD, Whittemore AD, Donaldson MC, Conte MS, Gravereaux E. Peripheral artery occlusive disease. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008: chap 66.

Meislin HW, Guisto JA. Soft tissue infections. In: Marx JA, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Mosby Elsevier; 2006:chap 135

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Dry gangrene doesn't

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what does gangrene look like? is it a dangerous disease to get over? how likely is it to get gangrene???

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The scientific name for gangrene is "necrosis." Gangrene occurs when there is death of body tissue due to lack of blood flow or infection.

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Gas Gangrene is in the air if not on your body

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No. Gangrene is the name of a disease.

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i died from gangrene but i am still alive

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Gangrene can be caused by frostbite, so yes, people who suffer frostbite could develop gangrene.

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Gangrene is cause by a genetic attack of birth.

Suckers

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If a wound is left untreated, it can turn to gangrene.

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The medical term for gangrene is necrosis.

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The scientific name for gas gangrene is Clostridial myonecrosis, caused by Clostridium bacteria.

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It is possible, but blood loss is accompanied by gangrene.

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Gangrene of brain is uncommon, but has been known to happen.

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1000,000,001 people get gangrene a year.

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Dr. Gangrene was born on 1966-09-09.

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Gangrene can affect any part of the body where blood flow is restricted, leading to tissue death. It commonly occurs in the extremities such as fingers, toes, arms, and legs. Organs like the intestines can also be affected by a type of gangrene called internal gangrene.

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The most common victims of gangrene are people who are diabetic.

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No, it may progress to the point of amputation. Gangrene prouces a gas which permeates the healthy tissues.

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Gangrene has no know discovery. Researchers say that gangrene was first found in the wounds of Civil War patients. Many people died in the Civil War because of this. Around 30,000-45,000 died because of gangrene infected wounds.

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Yes, gangrene can lead to septicemia. Gangrene is the death of body tissue due to a lack of blood flow or a bacterial infection. If left untreated, the bacterial infection causing gangrene can spread to the bloodstream, leading to septicemia, a serious and life-threatening condition.

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a bacteria gets into a severe burn or injury and infects it. therefore causing gangrene.

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gangrene can be resolved by some disinfectent spray and be sure to rape it up

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All animals get gangrene. This is caused by a lack of blood flow to certain tissues.

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Larry Underwood has: Played Dr. Gangrene in "Chiller Cinema" in 1999. Played Major Monterey Jack in "Chiller Cinema" in 1999. Played Dr. Gangrene in "Charlie and Sadie" in 2003. Played Dr. Gangrene in "Ambition Withdraw" in 2003. Played Insane Asylum Doctor in "Skarecrow" in 2004. Played Xorto in "Demon Sight" in 2004. Played Dr. Gangrene in "Two-Lane Trash Stop" in 2008. Played Dr. Gangrene in "Trash Day of the Dead" in 2008. Played Dr. Gangrene in "Bonehead" in 2008. Played Dr. G. Grene in "Thirty Second Doom" in 2008. Played Dr. Gangrene in "Summer of the Mummy" in 2009. Played Dr. Gangrene in "Werewolf of Nashville" in 2009. Played Dr. Gangrene in "Dr. Gangrenes Recommended Movie of the Week" in 2009. Played TV Reporter in "Dead Start" in 2009. Played Dr. Gangrene in "The Dreadful Hallowgreen Special" in 2010. Played Dr. Gangrene in "The Frank-Can-Stein Monster" in 2010. Played Dr. Gangrene in "Butt-Head" in 2010. Played Dr. Gangrene in "Watered Down Wolfman" in 2010. Played Dr. Gangrene in "Dr. Gangrene Presents" in 2011. Played Dr. Gangrene in "Trailer Terror" in 2011. Played himself in "Beast Wishes" in 2012.

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There are several different early signs of gangrene to watch for. Swelling and pain, changes in the color of your skin to red, brown, or black, and if you have a fever and feel sick you may have gangrene.

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How long it takes to die from gangrene depends on the specific circumstances of the infection, how big you are, and how far away from your vital organs the gangrene is. Typically gangrene spreads very rapidly once it starts, and an infected person may die in anywhere from one to three days once the gangrene is established.

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No.
No.

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Gangrene is an infection that originally enters the body through a break in the skin, of some kind. The gangrene bacteria cannot pass through intact skin. Only injured people are at risk.

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Clostridium perfringens is the most common bacteria that causes gas gangrene. Other bacteria that can contribute to gangrene include Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus species.

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Yes, a chicken can get gangrene. Gangrene in chickens can spread to the head, neck and breast. Gangrene in chicken is usually found in the bones or toenails.

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Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a common cause of gangrene in fingers. It results from narrowed arteries leading to reduced blood flow to the extremities, which can cause tissue damage and lead to gangrene. Other conditions such as diabetes and frostbite can also result in gangrene in fingers.

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The cast of Dr. Gangrene Presents - 2011 includes: Roxie McCasland as Little Girl On Merry Go Round Larry Underwood as Dr. Gangrene

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Staph can cause gas gangrene. so yes! and with a very high fatality rate.

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You get tetanus usually from rusted metals. Overall, gangrene let bacteria and viruses get in easier, so yes.

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Diabetes has a tendency to damage the blood vessels. When this happens, the tissues become oxygen deprived and gangrene can set in.

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Peripheral vascular disease is a progressive disease that can lead to gangrene of the affected area

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No. It is an internal infection.

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Amputations are most often associated with gangrene infections.

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The time it takes for gangrene to result in death can vary depending on the type and severity of the infection, as well as the individual's overall health. In some cases, gangrene can lead to death within a few days if left untreated, while in other cases, it may take weeks or even longer. It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you suspect you have gangrene.

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Any age, though the average age is 67. Gangrene is when blood stops flowing to a limb or limbs and cells begin to die. You often get gangrene from frostbite, if you have diabetes, if you smoke, or if you get a serious burn or injury.

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