Symptoms of Gangrene


Signs and symptoms of gangrene include:

  • Skin discoloration: The color change can range from pale, blue, purple, red or black depending on the type of gangrene
  • A foul smelling discharge from a wound or sore
  • Severe pain followed by numbness
  • Swelling of the Tissue: occurs in cases of gas and internal gangrene where the tissues under the skin are affected
  • Fever
  • A bubbly appearance to the skin that makes a crackling sound when presses is an indication of gas gangrene

When bacterial infection that originated in gangrenous tissue spreads through the body, it may result in septic shock. Some of the symptoms of septic shock are:

  • Lowered blood pressure
  • A rapid heartbeat
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Body temperatures over 100.4F or lower than 96.8F
Gangrene is a serious condition requiring immediate treatment. Call your physician immediately if you exhibit any of the symptoms mentioned above.


References
  1. Neil W Ahle, Murray P Hamlet, Enzymatic frostbite eschar debridement by bromelain, Annals of Emergency Medicine, Volume 16, Issue 9, September 1987, Pages 1063-1065, ISSN 0196-0644, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0196-0644(87)80759-X. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S019606448780759X)
  2. Mostafa M.H. Khalil, Eman H. Ismail, Khaled Z. El-Baghdady, Doaa Mohamed, Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using olive leaf extract and its antibacterial activity, Arabian Journal of Chemistry, Available online 13 April 2013, ISSN 1878-5352, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2013.04.007. (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878535213000968)