How to Treat Dry Gangrene

Dry gangrene is a term used to describe the death of live tissues within an area of the body. Dry gangrene develops as the result of a drastic reduction in circulation, restricting or blocking the movement of blood through the arteries. This can be caused by any number of things, such as injury or trauma to the affected area, infection, vascular disorders or illnesses which influence the functioning of the circulatory system. Dry gangrene can develop in any part of the body, but is most commonly found in the limbs, particularly the fingers and toes. If treated in the early stages, the progression of the disease can be reversed with surgery. However, if left untreated, the tissue will become dry and shrunken. While the method of treatment is generally determined by the location of the affected area and the extent of damage done to the tissue, the basic steps for treating dry gangrene are outlined in the guide below.

Things You'll Need

• Health care professional Antibiotics Pain medication

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Instructions

• 1

  Assess the affected area visually. Tissues impacted by dry gangrene will be cold to the touch and darkly discoloured or dusky.

• 2

  Seek the advice of a licensed health care professional. Report any severe trauma which may have influenced the circulation to the affected part of the body: burns, crushing, sprains, fractures or stubbing, straining or jamming of a digit. A health care professional will draw blood and run tests to determine if an infection is present. If a diagnosis of dry gangrene is confirmed, patients are generally started on an aggressive course of broad spectrum antibiotics and offered pain medication to be taken as needed.

• 3

  Obtain a recommendation from a vascular surgeon and undergo surgical debridement and vascular reconstructive surgery, if applicable. This will remove the tissues which have been permanently damaged and help to restore blood flow to the affected area.

• 4

  Allow the any damaged tissues located in the extremities to wither and die, eventually dropping off, or have them surgically removed if reconstructive surgery is not an option. Treat the surrounding tissues with topical ointment to promote healing at the site and prevent damage from extending further into the limb.

• 5

  Take measures to improve circulation throughout the body. Stop smoking, eat less cholesterol and get more exercise. If you have diabetes or arteriosclerosis, pay particular attention to your feet and hands as the diminished blood flow which causes dry gangrene to develop is one of the more common conditions associated with these disorders.