Gangrene
A diagnosis of gangrene is based on a combination of physical examination, medical history and tests.
Yourdoctor will want to find out whether you have any long-term health conditions, or if you've recently experienced any injuries that could have caused the condition.
They'll also examine the affected area to check for any obvious signs of gangrene, such as a foul odour or discolouration of the skin.
A number oftests and investigations can be carried out to confirm the diagnosis of gangrene. These include:
As gangrene is a potentially serious condition, treatment is usually started before the results of any tests become available.
Gangrene is a serious condition in which a loss of blood supply causes tissue to die. It can affect any part of the body but typically starts in the toes, feet, fingers and hands.
The symptoms of gangrene vary depending on the underlying cause. The condition can affect any part of the body, but typically starts in the toes, feet, fingers or hands.
Read about the different types of gangrene, what causes them and who's most at risk.
Find out how gangrene is diagnosed using a combination of physical examination, medical history and tests.
Find out how gangrene is treated. The main priorities are to remove the affected tissue, treat or prevent infection and treat the problem that caused gangrene.
Find out how to lower your risk of developing gangrene including foot care advice, which is very important if you have diabetes, not smoking, eating healthily and exercising regularly.