What Type of Diabetes Causes Gangrene?

Gangrene is the decay and death of tissue that results from the interruption of blood flow to extremities. It often leads to amputation. Diabetes, Type I and Type II, is one of the leading risk factors of gangrene. The risk for gangrene occurs when two types of diabetic complications, neuropathy and poor circulation, are present.

What is Gangrene?

• Gangrene occurs when tissue dies and starts to decay. This typically occurs when blood flow to the feet and hands is interrupted due to poor circulation. Gangrene's trademark appearance is blue or black discoloration of the skin. The affected area experiences severe pain followed by numbness. A foul smelling discharge also starts leaking from a sore. It is important to seek medical attention at the onset of the symptoms. The earlier gangrene is diagnosed and treated, the better the prognosis.

What is Neuropathy?

• When capillaries are damaged due to diabetes, neuropathy, otherwise known as nerve damage, occurs. The symptoms of nerve damage are tingling, burning, pain or numbness in finger and toes. Over time, this tingling can move upward to the hands and arms, as well as the legs and feet; however, the toes and the feet are the most affected by neuropathy.

What is Poor Circulation?

• Another complication of poorly controlled diabetes is hardened arteries. This leads to poor circulation, which can make a diabetic's foot less able to heal. Foot infections occur due to dry cracked skin, foot ulcers or cuts. Without proper circulation, the body cannot heal, and infection sets in. This infection can quickly turn to gangrene.

How Does Neuropathy and Poor Circulation Lead to Gangrene?

• It is easy to see how poor circulation, when combined with nerve damage in the feet, increases the chance of gangrene. Because a diabetic with neuropathy has little or no feeling in his or her feet, it is difficult for them to tell that there is an open wound so they can properly treat it. This lack of treatment, combined with poor circulation, causes the wound to quickly become infected. This infection can become serious and lead to gangrene, which can result in amputation.

What Is the Treatment for Gangrene?

• If gangrene has been diagnosed, then surgery to remove the dead tissue is unavoidable. This removal allows the surrounding healthy tissue to heal and recover, and it stops the spread of the infection. A high-dose antibiotic is also given intravenously. Because diabetics are at an increased risk of gangrene leading to amputation, it is extremely important to seek medical treatment of all open wounds on the feet, especially if the skin starts to turn blue or black. The quicker gangrene is diagnosed and treated, the less likely complications that lead to amputation will occur.