Gangrene is the medical term for the death of skin, muscle or organ tissue, according to MedlinePlus and the Mayo Clinic. The symptoms of gangrene include discoloration, a discharge the smells bad, and severe pain followed by a loss of feeling in the affected area. Gangrene is caused by a loss of blood supply to the tissue, causing its death. An infection or vessel diseases are common causes of blood supply blockage.
Gas Gangrene
Gas gangrene is caused by the infection of muscle tissue by bacteria in the genus Clostridium, according to the online medical library Merck Manuals. This type of gangrene gets its name from the gas bubbles that commonly form raised blisters in the infected area. Gas gangrene spreads quite rapidly, and can cause death if not treated. The infection is often precipitated by an injury, especially injuries that are very deep and involve the muscle. Surgery can also allow the Clostridium bacteria to infect the tissue, especially surgery that involves the colon or the gallbladder. People with colon cancer are also at a higher risk of developing gas gangrene. To treat gas gangrene, antibiotics are administered intravenously and dirt and dead tissue are removed from wounds.
Dry Gangrene
Dry gangrene is characterized by a shriveled and dry appearance of the skin, according to the Mayo Clinic. The skin may also turn an abnormal color, such as brown, purple, or black. This type of gangrene usually develops slowly, and commonly affects people with an underlying blood vessel disease. A vessel disease, such as atherosclerosis, thus causes loss of blood supply to the tissue.
Wet Gangrene
Mayo Clinic reports that wet gangrene is caused by a bacterial infection, and results in blistering and swelling of the infected area causing an overall "wet" appearance of the tissue. This type of gangrene often follows an injury such as a very severe burn or frostbite. Wet gangrene can also develop in people with diabetes who have diabetic neuropathy, which causes a loss of sensation, often in the feet. Because they cannot feel properly, they may injury a toe or other part of the foot without knowing it. A subsequent bacterial infection in the injured tissue then causes wet gangrene.
