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What Is Gas Gangrene?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Gas gangrene is the death of bodily tissues that is caused by a bacterial infection. The bacteria stimulate muscle tissues to produce gas as well as toxins that cause a person's tissues to decay and die. Unfortunately, this condition is potentially fatal and usually requires surgery to remove the damaged tissue. Sometimes it is necessary to amputate the person's limbs as well. Strong antibiotics may also be used as part of the treatment regimen.

When a person has gas gangrene, bacteria have infected his muscle tissue and begun to cause the death of the affected tissues. Unfortunately, this condition can spread rather quickly and lead to the death of the patient if it is not aggressively treated. This condition is not common in most developed countries. Still, it affects several thousand people each year in the United States alone.

Gas gangrene is deadly and surgery is usually required to remove the diseased area.
Gas gangrene is deadly and surgery is usually required to remove the diseased area.

Gas gangrene typically develops because of an infection with a bacterium called Clostridium perfringens. It usually develops after a person has suffered some sort of serious injury to the area, such as a deep wound that affects the muscle tissue, especially one that has been contaminated, or an open fracture. It can also develop in a person who has frostbite or after a contaminated needle puncture in the affected person's muscle. In many cases, a person also could develop this condition after a surgical procedure.

Diabetics are particularly susceptible to gangrene, as they often have impaired circulation in the feet.
Diabetics are particularly susceptible to gangrene, as they often have impaired circulation in the feet.

The symptoms of gas gangrene include severe pain and swollen, discolored tissue. When a person initially develops gas gangrene, the skin in the affected area may appear more pale than usual. After a time, however, it might become reddened and take on a brownish look. Eventually, the affected person's skin likely will develop a blackish, greenish coloring.

Amputation may be required in cases of severe gangrene.
Amputation may be required in cases of severe gangrene.

This condition also causes blisters that have gas inside them, and an individual may even feel gas bubbles under the surface of his skin. In many cases, fluid will drain from the affected tissues and the wound will emit a bad smell. The patient may also develop a fever and yellowing of the whites of his eyes and skin.

Treatment for gas gangrene is aggressive and usually includes potent antibiotics and surgery to remove decayed tissue. Depending on the areas that are affected and the extent of the condition, amputation may be required as well. Swift treatment is critical, as an affected person may die within a mere two days without it. Sadly, even some of those who are treated may die regardless.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

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    • Gas gangrene is deadly and surgery is usually required to remove the diseased area.
      By: derege
      Gas gangrene is deadly and surgery is usually required to remove the diseased area.
    • Diabetics are particularly susceptible to gangrene, as they often have impaired circulation in the feet.
      By: Mercedes Fittipaldi
      Diabetics are particularly susceptible to gangrene, as they often have impaired circulation in the feet.
    • Amputation may be required in cases of severe gangrene.
      By: memorisz
      Amputation may be required in cases of severe gangrene.
    • Gangrene can develop in a person who has frostbite.
      By: VILevi
      Gangrene can develop in a person who has frostbite.
    • A gas gangrene infection may occur after someone suffers a deep wound.
      By: wellphoto
      A gas gangrene infection may occur after someone suffers a deep wound.
    • It may be necessary to amputate a person's limb as a result of gas gangrene.
      By: HBK
      It may be necessary to amputate a person's limb as a result of gas gangrene.
    • Doctors must operate on an open fracture to properly clean the injury and realign the bones.
      By: amawasri
      Doctors must operate on an open fracture to properly clean the injury and realign the bones.
    • Fever may accompany gas gangrene.
      By: Piotr Marcinski
      Fever may accompany gas gangrene.