Gas Gangrene is also referred to as “Necrotizing subcutaneous infection” and is a potentially toxic type of tissue death. Gas gangrene typically develops at the site of injury or a new surgical wound. The start of gas gangrene is dramatic and sudden. About 1 in 5 cases happen without an event that is irritating. Individuals who develop this condition often have causal blood vessel problems such as atherosclerosis or “hardening of the arteries”, colon cancer or diabetes.

The site of this type of infection can become swollen with a pale red-brown look and tissue swelling that is very painful. If you press on the tissue that is swollen with the fingers, you might feel the sensation of crackling of gas. The area of infection expands on the edges so rapidly that alterations may be seen over just a few minutes. The tissue that is involved can be destroyed completely.