Gangrene - the necrosis of the tissues of an organ or a part of the body, which develops most often when their blood supply is disturbed and the supply of oxygen ceases. This can occur due to traumatic, chemical and thermal damage, metabolic disorders in the body, severe allergic reactions , etc. In some cases, the cause of tissue necrosis is infection. Gangrene is divided into three main types: dry, wet and gas. Let us consider the manifestations of each type of necrotic lesion.
Symptoms of dry gangrene
Dry gangrene is the least threatening, develops and progresses slowly (sometimes for several months and even years). As a rule, the symptoms of this type of gangrene are more often observed on the lower and upper extremities, the auricles, the tip of the nose. Initially, patients are concerned:
- intense pain in the affected area;
- blanching of skin tissues ("marble" skin);
- absence of pulse in the affected area.
At the next stage, there is a loss of skin sensitivity, but painful sensations in the deep tissues are present for a long time. The affected area begins to turn blue, gradually acquiring a brown or black color, the tissues lose moisture, wrinkle and become dense. At the same time, the border between healthy and dying tissues is clearly visible, the total toxic poisoning of the body is practically non-existent, so there are no symptoms of intoxication.
Symptoms of wet gangrene
Wet gangrene is characterized by the rapid development and development of infectious processes in dying tissues. The initial stage of gangrene of this type is accompanied by such symptoms:
- blanching, cold skin in the affected area;
- intense pain;
- puffiness, swelling of tissues;
- the appearance on the skin of bluish purple spots and blisters filled with a clear or bloody, fetid liquid;
- the crunch of the underlying tissues (crepitation) due to the presence of hydrogen sulfide in them.
In this case, there is no clear restriction of dead tissue, and absorption of decay products causes symptoms of general intoxication:
- increased body temperature;
- strong weakness;
- low pressure;
- thirst, etc.
Symptoms of gas gangrene
Gas gangrene is very dangerous, it develops due to the growth and reproduction of clostridial microflora in the tissues, which is more often due to severe injury and contamination of the wound. Pathological processes occur rapidly, while the local symptomatology is similar to the clinical picture with wet gangrene, and the general manifestations include:
- feverish condition;
- tachycardia;
- lowering blood pressure;
- speech excitement;
- shock state.
Symptoms of gangrene in diabetes mellitus
In people with diabetes , the risk of developing gangrene increases, especially with the already diagnosed diabetic foot syndrome. The first signs of gangrene in this case are:
- frequent numbness, cold feet feeling;
- the appearance of constant pain in the foot;
- blue skin.