A person with gangrene has dead tissue in one location of the body, caused by the lack of blood flow to that location. In most cases, the dead tissue becomes infected. The infected tissue can result in a life threatening infection. Symptoms include dark color to the tissue, pain and fever.

Gangrene usually affects the fingers or toes, but may also involve abdominal organs. Treatment requires surgical removal of the dead tissue, in order to avoid loss of the limb or organ.