Overview

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.
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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

When to see a doctor

Gangrene is a serious condition and needs emergency treatment. Call your
health care provider immediately if you have persistent, unexplained pain in
any area of your body along with one or more of the following signs and
symptoms:

 Persistent fever
 Skin changes — including discoloration, warmth, swelling, blisters or
lesions — that won't go away
 A foul-smelling discharge leaking from a sore
 Sudden pain at the site of a recent surgery or trauma
 Skin that's pale, hard, cold and numb

Request an appointment

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Causes
Causes of gangrene include:

 Lack of blood supply. The blood provides oxygen and nutrients to the
body. It also provides the immune system with antibodies to fight
infections. Without a proper blood supply, cells can't survive, and
tissue dies.
 Infection. An untreated bacterial infection can cause gangrene.
 Traumatic injury. Gunshot wounds or crushing injuries from car
crashes can cause open wounds that let bacteria into the body. If the
bacteria infect tissues and remain untreated, gangrene can occur.

Gangrene of the foot

Gangrene occurs when blood flow to a certain area of the body is

interrupted. The lack of blood flow causes tissue to die. Gangrene
often affects the fingers or toes.
Types of gangrene
 Dry gangrene. This type of gangrene involves dry and shriveled skin
that looks brown to purplish blue or black. Dry gangrene may develop
slowly. It occurs most commonly in people who have diabetes or blood
vessel disease, such as atherosclerosis.
 Wet gangrene. Gangrene is referred to as wet if bacteria have infected
the 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. The
surface of your skin may look normal at first.

As the condition worsens, the skin may become pale and then turn
other colors such as gray or purplish red. The skin may look bubbly. It
may make a crackling sound when you press on it because of the gas
within the tissue.

Gas gangrene is most commonly caused by bacteria 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.

 Internal gangrene. Internal gangrene affects one or more of the

organs, such as the intestines, gallbladder or appendix. It occurs when
blood flow to an internal organ is blocked. For example, it may happen
if the intestines bulge through a weakened area of muscle in the
stomach area (hernia) and become twisted. Left untreated, internal
gangrene can be deadly.
 Fournier's gangrene. This type of gangrene involves the genital
organs. It usually affects men, but women also can get it. An infection
in the genital area or urinary tract causes this type of gangrene.
 Meleney's gangrene. This is a rare type of gangrene. It's usually a
complication of surgery. Painful skin lesions typically occur one to two
 weeks after a surgery. Another name for this condition is progressive
bacterial synergistic gangrene.

Risk factors
Things that can increase the risk of gangrene include:

 Diabetes. High blood sugar levels can eventually damage blood

vessels. Blood vessel damage can slow or block blood flow to a part of
the body.
 Blood vessel disease. Hardened and narrowed arteries (atherosclerosis)
and blood clots can block blood flow to an area of the body.
 Severe injury or surgery. Any process that causes trauma to the skin
and underlying tissue, including frostbite, increases the risk of
gangrene. The risk is greater if you have an underlying condition that
affects blood flow to the injured area.
 Smoking. People who smoke have a higher risk of gangrene.
 Obesity. Extra weight can push on arteries, slowing blood flow and
increasing the risk of infection and poor wound healing.
 Immunosuppression. Chemotherapy, radiation and certain infections,
such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), can affect the body's
ability to fight off infections.
 Injections. Rarely, injectable drugs have been linked to infection with
bacteria that cause gangrene.
 Complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There have
been a few reports of people getting dry gangrene in their fingers and
toes after having COVID-19-related blood clotting problems
(coagulopathy). More research is needed to confirm this link.

Complications
Gangrene can lead to serious complications if it's not immediately treated.
Bacteria can spread quickly to other tissues and organs. You may need to
have a body part removed (amputated) to save your life.
Removal of infected tissue can lead to scarring or the need for reconstructive
surgery.

Prevention
Here are a few ways to help reduce the risk of developing gangrene:

 Manage diabetes. If you have diabetes, it's important to control your

blood sugar levels. Also make sure you examine your hands and feet
daily for cuts, sores and signs of infection, such as redness, swelling or
drainage. Ask your health care provider to check your hands and feet at
least once a year.
 Lose weight. Extra pounds raise the risk of diabetes. The weight also
puts pressure on the arteries, slowing blood flow. Decreased blood flow
increases infection risk and causes slow wound healing.
 Don't smoke or use tobacco. Long-term of tobacco damages the blood
vessels.
 Wash your hands. Practice good hygiene. Wash any open wounds
with a mild soap and water. Keep the hands clean and dry until they
heal.
 Check for frostbite. Frostbite reduces blood flow in the affected body
area. If you have skin that's pale, hard, cold and numb after being in
cold temperatures, call your care provider.

Request an appointment

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Jun 17, 2022
Print
Show References
Diagnosis & treatment

1. Diseases & Conditions

2. Gangrene symptoms & causes

More Information
  Gangrene of the foot

Associated Procedures
 CT scan
 Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
 MRI
 X-ray

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