How can poor circulation cause gangrene

It is generally associated with infection of the dead tissue. Wet gangrene can develop following a severe burn or frostbite. This type of gangrene can occur in people with diabetes who have an injury but do not notice or attend to it due to diabetic neuropathy.

Gas gangrene, also called clostridial myonecrosis, is a particularly virulent form of wet gangrene. It is associated with poorly cleansed wounds. It sometimes results from surgery in which the blood supply has become damaged. Dry forms result from a progressive loss of blood supply to tissues. Dry forms can become wet forms if they develop a bacterial infection. All forms of gangrene happen because of a loss of blood supply to a certain area.

This deprives tissue of oxygen and nutrients, causing the tissue to die. Wet forms can develop from :. Risk factors for gangrene include :. The part will be cold to the touch, and there will be a loss of pulse in the arteries. There may not be any external signs of internal gangrene, but the following may occur as a result of septic shock and other complications:.

Gas gangrene can produce all of these symptoms, and others. The infected area of skin can quickly extend, with some changes visible within minutes. In gas gangrene, the skin may :. This is known as subcutaneous emphysema. The gas is produced by the infectious bacteria and is highly toxic, causing the necrosis to spread quickly. A doctor will carry out a physical examination and take a medical history, to find out about symptoms and potential exposure to infection or trauma.

However, the word gangrene is not related to the color green, but to the condition itself. It comes from Greek and Latin words for a gnawing sore or decayed tissue. Chronic diseases that harm the circulatory system include diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and Raynaud's disease. These can often lead to gangrene. Traumatic injuries like burns or an infected dog bite may also stop blood flow.

Severe cases where the skin freezes frostbite can also lead to gangrene. Skin infections, injuries, burns, dog bites, and frostbite also put people at risk for gangrene. Symptoms of gangrene depend on its location and cause.

Dry gangrene usually starts with a red line around the affected area. This area then turns dry and black. The earlier gangrene is treated, the more successful the treatment is likely to be. So if you have any of the above symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. If you have symptoms of gangrene, your healthcare team will give you a physical exam to check for signs of tissue death. They may also ask you about any chronic health conditions you have that could be linked to the gangrene.

Your healthcare provider may also want to do lab tests to check for gangrene. A higher than normal amount of white blood cells, for example, can mean you have an infection. Your healthcare provider may take samples of tissue or fluid from the affected area and look at in the lab. If your healthcare provider thinks you may have internal gangrene, he or she may order imaging tests or surgery to find out for sure.

Because gangrene can spread rapidly over a large area of the body, the amount of dead tissue can be quite large. Treating these large areas may result in:. You can help prevent gangrene by carefully watching any wounds you have and getting immediate attention if signs of infection develop. Gangrene is a medical emergency. The outlook with gangrene depends on the location and size of the affected area, as well as any other medical conditions you might have.

Gangrene is often life-threatening, so immediate medical care is crucial. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. If you have a type of gangrene that 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 your body, septic shock can occur. Signs and symptoms of septic shock include:. Gangrene is a serious condition and needs emergency treatment. Call your doctor right away if you have persistent, unexplained pain in any area of your body along with one or more of the following signs and symptoms:. Gangrene results when blood flow to a certain area of your body is interrupted, causing tissue decay and death.

Gangrene often affects the fingers or toes. Wet gangrene. Gangrene is referred to as wet if there's a bacterial infection in the affected tissue. Swelling, blistering and a wet appearance are common features of wet gangrene. Wet gangrene may develop after a severe burn, frostbite or injury. It often occurs in people with diabetes who unknowingly injure a toe or foot.

Wet gangrene needs to be treated immediately because it spreads quickly and can be deadly. Gas gangrene. Gas gangrene typically affects deep muscle tissue. If you have gas gangrene, the surface of your skin may look normal at first. As the condition worsens, your skin may become pale and then turn gray or purplish red.

The skin may look bubbly and may make a crackling sound when you press on it because of the gas within the tissue.

Gas gangrene is most commonly caused by infection with a bacterium called Clostridium perfringens. Bacteria gather in an injury or surgical wound that has no blood supply. The bacterial infection produces toxins that release gas and cause tissue death. Like wet gangrene, gas gangrene is a life-threatening condition.