Causes
- Gas Gangrene is most commonly caused by a bacterium called Clostridium perfringens. This bacterium can be found nearly everywhere and once it is in your body it makes gas and toxins that damage body tissues, cells, and blood vessels.
- It can also be caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Vibrio vulnificus.
- Lack of blood flow
Symptoms
- Painful swelling
- Air under the skin (subcutaneous emphysema)
- Blisters filled with red/brown fluid
- Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
- Moderate to high fever
- Moderate to severe pain around a skin injury
- Pale skin color, later turning to dark red/purple
- Vesicle formation, combining into large blisters
- Swelling that worsens around a skin injury
- Yellow color to the skin (jaundice)
Demographics, Prevalence, and Prognosis
Demographics/Risk Factors
You are at increased risk of Gas Gangrene if you have
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Treatment and Prevention
Treatment
- Surgery is often needed to remove damaged, dead, or infected tissue
- Amputation (surgical removal) may be needed to control the spread of the infection and can sometimes happen before all test results are available
- Antibiotics are also given along with pain relievers
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can also be used in some rare cases. The air pressure inside a hyperbaric oxygen chamber is about two and half times greater than the normal pressure in the atmosphere which helps blood carry more oxygen to organs and tissues in your body so that infected wounds can heal quicker.
- Clean any skin wound thoroughly
- If signs of this disease occur, see a health care provider immediately