The onset of gas gangrene is sudden and dramatic. Inflammation begins at the site of infection as pale to brownish-red extremely painful tissue swelling . Gas may be felt in the tissue as a crackly sensation when the swollen area is pressed with the fingers. The margins of the infected area expand so rapidly that changes are visible over a few minutes of time. The involved tissue is completely destroyed.
Systemic symptoms develop early in the infection.
These consist of sweating , fever , and anxiety . Clean any skin injury thoroughly. Watch for signs of infection such as redness, pain, drainage, or swelling around the wound , and consult the health care provider promptly if these occur. A gram stain of fluid from the infected area shows gram positive rods and spoke formation. An X-ray , CT scan, or MRI of the area shows gas in the tissues.