Gangrene, or gangrene, is a serious condition and it is vital to get professional treatment as soon as possible. The longer you wait before undergoing treatment, the less likely you are to recover completely. Doctors often intervene by removing dead tissue that has formed as a result of the problem, administering antibiotics and prescribing other solutions, such as oxygen therapy and larval therapy. Read on to learn how this disease is treated, so you are aware of what to expect during treatment.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Seek Medical Help
Step 1. If you are concerned about dry gangrene, see your doctor immediately
It can be the result of skin problems or changes or, in some cases, limb ischemia (blockage of the arteries in the lower legs and feet). All types of gangrene need to be brought to medical attention. If you suspect that you suffer from this condition, even in a mild form, you should call your doctor as soon as possible. Symptoms include:
- Dry, wrinkled skin that peels off easily
- Bluish or blackish skin
- Cold, numb skin
- Pain (only sometimes, not always present).
Step 2. Go to the emergency room if you have wet gangrene
While all types of gangrene require quick medical interventions, as already stated, wet gangrene is more likely to be accompanied by an infection, which can be difficult to treat if it has affected the blood system. Injuries can lead to this type of tissue death, so you should always go to a healthcare facility promptly. Go to the emergency room if you notice the following symptoms:
- Pain and swelling of the affected area;
- Skin that changes color from red to brown or black;
- Blisters or sores accompanied by the leakage of foul-smelling fluid (pus)
- Fever;
- Feeling of general malaise;
- Crackling when you press on the affected area.
Step 3. Look for severe symptoms
If you have gangrene, there are some symptoms that can tell you if your blood system has also been affected; in this case, immediate medical attention should be sought. If you experience the following symptoms, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away.
- Hypotension;
- Tachycardia;
- Difficulty in breathing or shortness of breath
- Sudden change in body temperature
- Pain in the whole body
- Skin rashes;
- Confusion or lightheadedness;
- Cold, sweaty and pale skin.
Method 2 of 2: Evaluate Different Treatments
Step 1. Take antibiotics and other medications as prescribed
Your doctor will be able to inject the medications intravenously or instruct you to take them orally as part of your therapy. They may also prescribe medications to control your blood sugar, as proper sugar levels and short-term management of your blood sugar level allow for better long-term results when it comes to healing or preventing an infection. Follow your doctor's directions for taking antibiotics and other prescribed medications to best treat gangrene.
- If you experience any side effects or think that the medications are no longer needed, contact your doctor before deciding to stop treatment.
- Do not stop taking antibiotics until you have completed the entire course; otherwise, they may no longer be effective and it may become more difficult to treat the disease in the future.
Step 2. Undergo wound debridement and irrigation
Injuries with necrotic tissue, contaminated tissue, or suture remnants must be debrided before completing any other treatment. Irrigation is important to lower the bacterial load and eliminate loose material.
- A scalpel or pair of scissors is used during the debridement procedure to remove dead tissue or unwanted debris.
- Enzymatic (or chemical) debridement involves applying different enzymatic agents to the wound.
Step 3. Get oxygen therapy
Sometimes this procedure is done to aid in healing of damaged tissue. You need to enter a special chamber filled with oxygen, the concentration of which is much higher than in the normal environment; this method is believed to help heal gangrene faster and more effectively.
- This procedure helps heal wounds and reduce the amount of tissue that will need to be amputated.
- It is also thought to be a very useful procedure for treating surgical wound infections caused by the Clostridium strain, responsible for the gas gangrene that develops inside the body.
Step 4. Consider other therapies
There are biological therapies, such as the larval one, which are implemented to treat ulcers, chronic venous ulcers, diabetic ones and other acute or chronic lesions. Lately some recombinant human growth factors are also being examined as possible treatments for this type of injury. Such factors include that of platelet-derived growth, that of fibroblasts and that of stimulating granulocyte-macrophage colonies. Your doctor may recommend that you try one of these treatments to stimulate healing.
Try to be open-minded towards larval therapy. Sterile, laboratory-raised larvae are often used to treat gangrene. Since these larvae feed exclusively on dead skin, they can be placed on the affected body parts and let them eat only the decomposed tissues. This procedure also helps the body heal on its own and prevent the risk of infections
Step 5. Discuss the possibility of an amputation with your doctor
In extreme cases, surgery may be required to remove dead tissue; if not removed, the gangrene spreads, causing further damage to the rest of the body and even leading to death. It may therefore be necessary to remove the fingers and toes or limbs to stop the progression of the disease.
Keep in mind that even when surgery is done successfully to open the artery and thus restore proper blood flow to the affected area, surgical removal of dead tissue is still performed in almost all cases
Step 6. Treat the ailments that led to the development of gangrene
Among the main causes are diabetes, atherosclerosis of the limbs, peripheral arterial disease, smoking, possible trauma, obesity and Raynaud's syndrome. Underlying diseases may need to be treated with medication or surgery to restore normal blood flow to affected tissues and improve health in the future. Discuss the different options with your doctor.
Warnings
- Don't think about treating gangrene on your own. Without professional medical treatment, you will only make the situation worse. If you are concerned that you are suffering from some type of gangrene, contact the health care facilities.
- Always follow the directions given by your doctor to manage gangrene due to limb ischemia.
