Trace Winegar

What is Gangrene?  Two main types: dry, and wet In both types of gangrene all tissue is destroyed  Gangrene occurs when tissue dies because its blood supply is restricted Often occurs in extremities: toes, fingers, arms and legs Internal organs may also be affected

Symptoms of Gangrene Dry Gangrene  Red lines appear around the affected tissue  Affected area will eventually become numb and cold  The are will change from red, to brown, to black  Necrotized tissue (dead tissue) shrivels up and falls off Wet Gangrene  Affected swells before any tissue dies  Skin will change from red, to brown, to black  There will be pus and foul smell  Fever

Causes of Gangrene  Our cells require nutrients delivered to them by blood. If this blood supply becomes low they will become damaged and die.  When blood flow is restricted to the affected area no white blood cells or t-cells are able to get to it and help prevent the disease from spreading

How to cure Gangrene  Antibiotics  Maggot therapy Maggots and fly larvae feed on the dead infected tissue  Blood Transfusions  Surgery Removal of the affected area helps prevent disease from spreading

Worst Case Scenario  If left untreated gangrene will spread to other body parts and death will eventually occur.

 People with Diabetes are at high risk of gangrene  Gangrene is more common in older people and people who have weaker immune systems  About 45,500 Americans were hospitalized in 2003 compared to 21,000 in 1991

sources  es/ php es/ php  ene/DS ene/DS00993  and-treatments/guide/gangrene-causes- symptoms-treatments and-treatments/guide/gangrene-causes- symptoms-treatments