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Medical Author:

Ronald A Greenfield, MD

Coauthor:

Shehnaz Shaikh, MD

Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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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.