Gangrene
Gangrene is a dangerous condition where part of the body’s tissue dies because it either loses its blood supply or becomes severely infected. When blood flow is blocked, the tissue cannot get oxygen or nutrients, so it slowly breaks down and dies. This causes dry gangrene, where the skin becomes dark, dry, and shriveled. When bacteria enter a wound and spread quickly, it leads to wet or gas gangrene, which damages tissue much faster and can produce swelling, fluid, and sometimes gas inside the skin.
It becomes life-threatening because the infection does not stay in one place. As bacteria spread deeper, they can reach the muscles and even the bone, causing a serious bone infection called osteomyelitis. If the bacteria enter the bloodstream, they can cause sepsis, where blood pressure drops, organs start failing, and the body can no longer fight the infection. The toxins released by the bacteria also poison the body and make the situation worse.
Some main causes include:
Blocked arteries from diabetes, smoking, or blood clots
Deep wounds, burns, or frostbite
A weak immune system that can’t control infection
Treatment aims to stop the spread and save as much healthy tissue as possible. Doctors remove the dead tissue, restore blood flow by opening blocked vessels, and give strong antibiotics for infected gangrene. Special wound care helps healing, and in some cases oxygen therapy can support recovery. If the infection has spread too far or the tissue cannot be saved, amputation may be needed to protect the person’s life.