Dry gangrene
The symptoms of dry gangrene normally begin with a red line on the skin that marks the edges of the affected tissue. The area will become cold and numb. As the tissue dies, you may experience some pain. However, many people, particularly the elderly, experience no sensations. The affected area of tissue will change colour from red, to brown, to black. The dead tissue will then shrivel up, separate from the healthy tissue and fall off.
Wet gangrene
The symptoms of wet gangrene begin with the affected area swelling, before the tissue starts to decay. Unlike dry gangrene, the condition is extremely painful. If you have wet gangrene, your skin will change colour, from red, to brown, to black, and produce foul-smelling pus. Other symptoms such as a high temperature (fever) of, or above, 38C (100.4F) are also common.
Necrotising fasciitis
Necrotising fasciitis can affect any part of the body, although most cases develop in the extremities, such as:
- the hands, arms, feet and legs
- the perineum, which is the area of skin between the anus and the genitals
- the torso, which is the central part of the body between the neck and the limbs
Initial symptoms of necrotising fasciitis usually include swelling, redness, and pain. The pain is often more than what you would expect for a typical skin infection.
As the infection progresses, the skin becomes increasingly tense and red, with noticeable margins between the affected and unaffected skin.
Over the course of several hours or, in some cases, days, the symptoms of necrotising fasciitis will rapidly worsen. The skin will change colour to purple or black, severe blistering will develop and the affected skin may make a crackling noise.
The blisters may begin to bleed and some people may experience a discharge of fluid (often described as looking like dishwater) from the affected area.
Gas and internal gangrene
Both gas and internal gangrene have similar symptoms. People who have had these types of gangrene have talked about experiencing a feeling of heaviness in the affected area, followed by severe pain. The pain is a result of swelling caused by the gas or infection.
In the majority of cases of gas gangrene, pressing the skin near the affected area will produce a crackling sound. This is caused by the gas that is produced by the bacteria.
In some cases of gas gangrene, there may be a watery discharge from the affected area. However, unlike wet gangrene, the discharge does not have a distinctive foul odour.
Septic shock
If bacteria from gangrene pass into your bloodstream, you could go into septic shock. This is a condition where bacteria multiply in the blood, releasing toxins that damage cells and organs, dramatically lowering your blood pressure.
Signs of septic shock include:
- a rapid but very weak pulse
- reduced urine flow
- confusion
- pallor (pale-looking skin)
- cold, clammy skin (only in later stages)
- collapse
When to seek emergency medical advice
Septic shock is the most serious complication that can arise from gangrene. See above for the symptoms of septic shock.
If you suspect that you, or someone you know, has septic shock, dial 999 to request an ambulance immediately.
