Gangrene is death of body tissue due to a lack of blood flow or a serious bacterial infection. Gangrene commonly affects the arms and legs, including the toes and fingers. It can also occur in the muscles and in organs inside the body, such as the gallbladder.

A condition that can damage the blood vessels and affect blood flow, such as diabetes or hardened arteries (atherosclerosis), increases the risk of gangrene.

Treatments for gangrene may include antibiotics, oxygen therapy, and surgery to restore blood flow and remove dead tissue. The earlier gangrene is identified and treated, the better the chances for recovery.

When gangrene affects the skin, signs and symptoms may include:

• Changes in skin color — ranging from pale gray to blue, purple, black, bronze or red
• Swelling
• Blisters
• Sudden, severe pain followed by a feeling of numbness
• A foul-smelling discharge leaking from a sore
• Thin, shiny skin, or skin without hair
• Skin that feels cool or cold to the touch

If gangrene affects tissues beneath the surface of your skin, such as gas gangrene or internal gangrene, you may also have a low-grade fever and generally feel unwell.

If the germs that caused the gangrene spread through the body, a condition called septic shock can occur. Signs and symptoms of septic shock include:

• Low blood pressure
• Fever, although some people may have a body temperature lower than 98.6 F (37 C)
• Rapid heart rate
• Lightheadedness
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion

Gangrene is a serious condition and needs emergency treatment. Call your health care provider immediately if you have persistent, unexplained pain in any area of your body along with one or more of the following signs and symptoms:

• Persistent fever
• Skin changes — including discoloration, warmth, swelling, blisters or lesions — that won’t go away
• A foul-smelling discharge leaking from a sore
• Sudden pain at the site of a recent surgery or trauma
• Skin that’s pale, hard, cold and numb