This usually occurs when the blood circulation to an area of the body is disrupted. It happens most frequently in the toes, fingers, arms, and legs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gangrene can also affect muscles and organs, but this is a more rare situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s the link between gangrene and diabetes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Gangrene is a possible diabetic complication<\/a>. If you have diabetes, you are at a higher risk of developing gangrene. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is because along with diabetes comes high blood sugar levels<\/a>. This can lead to damage to your nerves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This then leads to loss of feeling in the areas innervated by these nerves. This is what\u2019s called diabetic neuropathy<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t have sensation in a certain area, it\u2019s easier to develop an injury there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Diabetes can also affect your blood vessels and lead to blood vessel disease. Diabetic patients often have limited blood flow to their feet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you aren\u2019t getting enough blood flow to your feet, guess what else isn\u2019t making it there? That\u2019s right, your white blood cells. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These are the blood cells that fight infection in the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This means that any lesions you develop can take a longer time to heal correctly. You are also at higher risk of developing diabetic gangrenous infections in these lesions and wounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dry gangrene happens when circulation to an area of the body gets blocked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n How does this happen? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Well, your blood is an essential carrier of oxygen to your body\u2019s tissues. All your organs\u2019 tissues require oxygen for survival. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If a body part isn\u2019t getting oxygen, then it can deteriorate and die, leading to dry gangrene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dry gangrene is usually either dark green or purple. It can even be almost black. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The skin could be dry and wrinkled<\/a> as well because of the lack of oxygen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wet gangrene is an appropriate name since it is wet in appearance. It has swelling and blisters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This can happen due to frostbite or a severe burn. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have diabetes mellitus, you could develop wet gangrene after a minor injury to your toe or foot or from a foot ulcer. You might not even know it\u2019s happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People with diabetes have decreased blood flow to their extremities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is why tissues at the body\u2019s extremities don\u2019t heal as quickly, and infection can occur. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Wet gangrene can spread fairly quickly. It\u2019s important to seek treatment right away for wet gangrene because if it isn\u2019t treated properly, then it can even be fatal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If an infection develops deep inside the body, this can result in gas gangrene. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So how does this happen? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Harmful bacteria produced as part of the infection release gas. This gas can damage tissue, cells, and blood vessels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gas gangrene can show up at the site of injury or surgery. Your skin may swell and develop a bubbly appearance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Gas gangrene is one of the most serious types of gangrene since it can develop suddenly without symptoms at first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the blood circulation to an organ becomes blocked, this can lead to internal gangrene. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Internal gangrene most commonly affects the gall bladder, intestines, and appendix. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When gangrene affects the gall bladder, it\u2019s called acute cholecystitis. Symptoms to look out for include fever and severe pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fournier\u2019s gangrene occurs only in the genital area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It usually develops from an infection in the urinary tract or the genitals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Symptoms to look out for include pain, swelling, and tenderness in the area where your genitals are. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You may also notice purple, green, or black discoloration and a foul odor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fourniers gangrene can happen in men and women<\/a> but is more common in men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Progressive bacterial synergistic gangrene is the type that can develop after surgery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Lesions may show up on the skin near the incision area one to two weeks after your surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gangrene symptoms usually appear in the fingers, toes, arms, or legs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Symptoms of gangrene typically involve the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aside from diabetes, there are other potential causes of gangrene. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most of these are medical conditions or situations that affect circulation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If someone has a minor infection but a weak immune system, this can become more serious and result in gangrene. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Conditions that contribute to weak immune systems include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you develop gangrene, you must seek immediate medical attention for it. This is because urgent care is needed to remove the diseased tissue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is necessary to prevent the bacterial infection from spreading through your bloodstream.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your doctor might do a surgical debridement. This is when the gangrenous tissue is removed surgically. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your doctor might also perform a skin graft. This is to help repair the gangrene damage left on your skin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It can also help to clear up any defects from the debridement procedure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A skin graft is a reconstructive surgery where healthy skin is taken from elsewhere on the body. It is then placed in the area where the damaged skin was removed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another option to ask your doctor about is hyperbaric oxygen therapy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Only in extreme cases will limb amputation of the toe, finger, or foot be recommended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This can happen in cases of critical limb ischemia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Antibiotics are essential after major amputation to prevent further infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gangrene could lead to necrotizing fasciitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you leave your gangrene untreated, this can lead to life-threatening infection and septic shock. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is why it is so crucial that you seek care immediately for gangrene, especially if you have diabetes and are more prone to infection and slow diabetic wound healing<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You may take longer to heal from diabetic ulcers<\/a> as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have diabetes, check your fingers, toes, hands, and feet regularly. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You are looking for any wounds, diabetic foot ulcers, or signs of diabetic foot infection or extremity infection such as swelling, redness, heat, or discharge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight, this can cause additional stress on your blood vessels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When there is extra stress on your arteries, this can restrict blood flow. This then increases your risk of infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather. This is especially true of cold weather. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sure to keep warm and wear lots of layers, especially on your feet and hands. If you get frostbite, this can lead to gangrene. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have been exposed to the cold and notice that afterward, your skin is pale, exceptionally cold, or numb, then see your doctor right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And, if you smoke, quitting can reduce your chances of getting gangrene. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is because cigarette smoke weakens blood vessels and can increase the likelihood of getting gangrene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You now know about the link between diabetes and gangrene. And knowing is the first step. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you\u2019re aware of your heightened risk and understand the different types of gangrene to look out for, keep an eye out for symptoms of gangrene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have diabetes, monitor it closely with your health care provider and diabetic foot doctor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you notice any discolored skin, feelings of numbness, discharge, or pus near an area of a recent injury, you must get it looked at right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Although diabetes is a significant cause of gangrene, it\u2019s not the only one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also important to look out for symptoms of gangrene if you have any of the other high-risk conditions such as human immunodeficiency virus or kidney failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s much easier to prevent diabetic gangrene than treating it once it has already developed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Watch your weight, quit smoking, and prevent frostbite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you do all this and still end up developing gangrene, then seek medical care right away. Gangrene is no joke. It can lead to a life-threatening situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTypes of gangrene<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Dry gangrene<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wet gangrene<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Gas gangrene<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Internal gangrene<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Fournier\u2019s gangrene<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Progressive bacterial synergistic gangrene<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Symptoms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Other causes of gangrene<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Treatment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Complications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How to prevent gangrene with diabetes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Explore More<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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