FOOT GANGRENE

TYPES

There are two significant types of foot gangrene:

Dry gangrene. This is more common in individuals who have vascular infection, diabetes, and immune system illnesses. It typically influences your hands and feet. When the tissue dries up, the color changes. It might become brown to purplish-blue going to black color. However, dry gangrene can prompt wet gangrene in the event that it gets infected. 

Wet gangrene: Mostly, this category includes an infection always. Trauma or burns in which the part of the body is compressed or squeezed may easily interrupt the blood flow to the site, destroy tissue, and increase the chances of infection. Contamination from wet gangrene can spread quickly throughout the body.

SYMPTOMS

The signs and symptoms of dry gangrene includes the following:

• Wrinkled skin that shifts color from blue to black which gradually disappears
• Pain
• Cold, numb skin

The signs and symptoms of wet gangrene includes the following:

• Inflammation and discomfort
• Red, purple, brown, blue, black skin, or greenish-black 
• Fever and feeling unwell
• Blisters or sores with unpleasant smelling pus
• A line between healthy and damaged skin
• Thin, shiny, or hairless skin
• A crackling noise when you press on the affected area

DIAGNOSIS

Your physician will get some information about your signs and symptoms and clinical history. You may have:

Blood tests. They examine the bacteria on the blood and check if there are signs of infection. 

Imaging tests. CT and MRI tests help your physician to recognize whether your gangrene has spread and if gas has developed in your tissues. In an arteriogram, your primary care physician infuses color into your blood and afterward takes an X-ray to check for blood flow and search for blocked veins.

Cultures. They may take samples of blood, liquid, or tissue, and take a look at them under a microscope for indications of microorganisms or tissue death.

Surgery. This can affirm inner gangrene or tell your physician whether gangrene has grown.

TREATMENT

Your treatment relies upon the type of gangrene and may include:

• Maggot therapy
• Surgery
• Oxygen therapy
• Antibiotics