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May 22, 2013
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Gangrene (cont.)

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Gangrene Symptoms

  • Dry gangrene:

    • The affected area becomes cold and numb.

    • Initially, the affected area becomes red.

    • Then, it develops a brown discoloration.

    • Finally, it becomes black and shriveled.

  • Wet or moist gangrene:

    • The affected area becomes swollen and decays.

    • It is extremely painful.

    • Local oozing occurs.

    • It produces a foul-smelling odor.

    • It becomes black.

    • The affected person develops a fever.

  • Gas gangrene:

    • The wound is infected.

    • A brown-red or bloody discharge may ooze from the affected tissues.

    • Gas produced by Clostridia may produce a crackling sensation when the affected area is pressed.

    • It becomes swollen.

    • Pain in the affected area is severe.

    • The affected person develops fever, increased heart rate, and rapid breathing if the toxins spread into the bloodstream.

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Gangrene - Treatment

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Read What Your Physician is Reading on Medscape

Fournier Gangrene »

In 1883, the French venereologist Jean Alfred Fournier described a series in which 5 previously healthy young men suffered from a rapidly progressive gangrene of the penis and scrotum without apparent cause.

Read More on Medscape Reference »


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