Symptoms:

The symptoms depend on the location and cause of the gangrene. If the skin is involved, or the gangrene is close to the skin, the symptoms may include:

• Discoloration (blue or black if skin is affected; red or bronze if the affected area is beneath the skin)
• Foul-smelling discharge
• Loss of feeling in the area (which may happen after severe pain in the area)

If the affected area is inside the body (such as gangrene of the gallbladder or gas gangrene), the symptoms may include:

• Confusion
• Fever
• Gas in tissues beneath the skin
• General ill feeling
• Low blood pressure
• Persistent or severe pain

Signs and tests:

The doctor may diagnose gangrene from a physical examination. In addition, the following tests and procedures may be used to diagnose gangrene:

• Arteriogram (special x-ray to see any blockages in the blood vessels) to help plan treatment for blood vessel disease
• Blood tests (white blood cell [WBC] count may be high)
• CT scan to examine internal organs
• Culture of the tissue or fluid from wounds to identify bacterial infection
• Examining tissue under the microscope to look for cell death
• Surgery to find and remove dead tissue
• X-rays