Gangrene Health Video

Video Transcript

CLIFFORD SEWELL, MD: Hello. I'm Dr. Clifford Sewell. I'm here to tell you briefly about gangrene. Gangrene is the endstage result of an infection. The infection can start quite innocently as a small abrasion or a cut to your skin. The infection then tracks down through the skin into the lower connective tissue. This connective tissue can develop a more serious infection over time. Symptoms of gangrene would include redness, pain, and tenderness at the site as well as a [SOUNDS LIKE] pussy discharge. Infections can travel quite quickly and you should seek medical attention right away if there's any question that this infection is getting out of control. Gangrene is the endpoint of the skin infection that is not responsive to antibiotics or to conservative management. It oftentimes requires debridement of the necrotic tissue which includes surgical removal of infected tissue at the site. Prevention of gangrene is done by fastidious maintenance of wound care and cleaning the wound at all times. You should seek medical attention if you have any question about the healing process of your wound.