How to Treat Gangrene

It's much easier to prevent gangrene than to treat it. Any time blood flow is restricted to a body part, call your doctor immediately.

Things You'll Need

• Anticoagulant
• High-protein Foods
• Water
• Analgesics
• Antibiotics

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Instructions

• 1

  Take antibiotics as directed by your doctor, if the gangrene is caused by a bacterial invasion. Antibiotics must be started early in the course of the treatment to be effective. In most cases, intravenous administration is the preferred route.

• 2

  Take an anticoagulant as directed by your physician to reduce the likelihood of blood clots developing in the affected body part.

• 3

  Eat a high-protein diet, if recommended by your doctor. Protein helps repair damaged tissue.

• 4

  Drink plenty of water, at least eight glasses a day. Extra hydration helps tissue heal because so much of the body is made up of water.

• 5

  Wear custom-built shoes to keep pressure off of toes or heels that might be showing signs of necrosis.

• 6

  Avoid nonselective beta blockers (prescription medicine). These drugs can reduce blood flow to the extremities.

• 7

  Debride the gangrenous tissue, as ordered by your doctor. Debriding removes dead tissue, allowing fresh, pink tissue to flourish.

• 8

  Have the gangrenous tissue removed by a surgeon. If necrosis is irreversible, the body part may have to be amputated. Consider a surgical resection of the gangrenous area.