Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Moist gangrene occurs when the blood supply to an area of soft tissue is suddenly interrupted, often due to severe burns or blood clots. Unlike dry gangrene, which results from a gradual decrease in blood flow, moist gangrene involves tissue that leaks fluids, creating an environment where bacteria can thrive. This leads to swelling, discoloration, and a foul odor. If left untreated, the infection can spread and become fatal. The primary treatment involves antibiotics and the surgical removal of diseased tissue to prevent the infection's spread.1

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. gangrene
  2. gangrene

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.