Gangrene is a serious disease that arises when some region of the body is not receiving the necessary amount of blood or suffers a severe infection, death of the tissues and causing symptoms such as pain in the affected region, swelling and alteration of skin color, for example .
According to the severity, the location or the causes, gangrene can be divided into several types:
- Gas gangrene: it happens in the deeper layers of the muscle due to infection by a bacteria that produces gas. This type is most common after wound infections or surgeries;
- Dry gangrene: develops when a region of the body does not receive the necessary amount of blood and eventually dies due to lack of oxygen;
- Wet gangrene: it happens when a part of the body suffers a serious infection that causes the death of the tissues;
- Fournier gangrene: arises from an infection in the genital region, being more frequent in men. Learn more about this disease.
Depending on the cause and stage of the disease, gangrene may be cured, and treatment often needs to be done at the hospital.
Main symptoms
Common myrrh gangrene symptoms include:
- Alteration of the skin color in the region, becoming initially red and then darkening;
- Swelling of the skin and decreased sensitivity;
- Wounds or blisters that release a foul-smelling liquid;
- There may be pain in some cases.
Since gangrene is a disease that worsens slowly over time, as soon as skin changes are identified, it is very important to consult a dermatologist or general practitioner to identify the problem and initiate appropriate treatment, Early diagnosis facilitates healing.
How is the treatment done?
The treatment for gangrene varies according to the cause that is causing the death of the tissues, however, usually involves removing the tissues that have already been affected and correcting the cause, allowing the body to heal.
Thus, various forms of treatment may be used, which include:
1. Debridement surgery
The debridement surgery is done in almost all cases to remove the tissues that are already dead and that make difficult the healing and facilitate the growth of the bacteria. Thus, depending on the amount of tissue to be removed, a small surgery with local anesthesia may be necessary in the dermatologist's office or a major surgery with general anesthesia in the hospital.
Another option, especially used in cases with a lower extent of dead tissue, is the use of larvae to remove the affected tissue. Generally, this technique has better results in controlling what is removed, since the larvae only eat the dead tissue, leaving it healthy.
2. Amputation
In more severe cases, where gangrene has already spread throughout the limb and there is already little healthy tissue to salvage, the doctor may advise amputation, in which the entire affected arm or leg is removed through surgery to prevent gangrene spread to the rest of the body.
In these cases, artificial prosthetics are also made to replace the affected limbs helping to maintain some of the person's quality of life.
3. Antibiotics
Antibiotics are used whenever gangrene is caused by an infection and help to eliminate the remaining bacteria after surgery to remove dead tissue, for example. Since it is most effective to administer these medications through the vein, the treatment is usually done in inpatient hospital setting and started before or shortly after surgery.
4. Bypass or angioplasty
Bypass and angioplasty are two surgical techniques that are usually used when gangrene is caused by a problem that is making it difficult for blood to pass through a particular region.
Possible causes
Gangrene arises when tissues do not receive the oxygen they need to survive and therefore the main causes include infections and blood circulation problems such as:
- Uncontrolled diabetes;
- Severe burns;
- Prolonged exposure to extreme cold;
- Raynaud's disease;
- Strong bangs;
- Infection of wounds on the skin.
In addition, people who smoke, are overweight, drink too much alcohol or have a weakened immune system are also at increased risk of developing gangrene.
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