National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Gangrene is the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Gangrene is the death of tissues in your body. It happens when a part of your body loses its blood supply. Gangrene can happen on the surface of the body, such as on the skin, or inside the body, in muscles or organs. Causes include:
Skin symptoms may include a blue or black color, pain, numbness, and sores that produce a foul-smelling discharge. If the gangrene is internal, you may run a fever, feel unwell, and the area may be swollen and painful.
Treatment includes surgery, antibiotics, and oxygen therapy. In severe cases an amputation may be necessary.
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)