Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is a form of cell death that is generally triggered by normal, healthy processes in the body. Necrosis is the premature death of cells and living tissue. Caused by factors external to the cell or tissue, such as infection, toxins, or trauma.

Too much apoptosis in an otherwise normal human being will result in a number of so-called neurodegenerative diseases where cells die when they’re not supposed to die. This also characterizes Huntington’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease, and Lou Gehrig’s disease, and a number of other neurodegenerative diseases.

Inhibitors of apoptosis are a group of proteins that mainly act on the intrinsic pathway that block programmed cell death, which can frequently lead to cancer or other effects for the cell if mutated or improperly regulated. Intrinsic pathways involved internal cell signaling primarily through the mitochondria.

Irreversible cell injury: mitochondria swell, lysosomes swell, damage to plasma membrane and lysosomal membranes leads to enzyme leakage; acidosis somewhat protective by inhibiting enzymatic reactions.

four different forms

Average age at presentation was 49 years (range, 1-86; median, 49). Patients were followed up an average of 3.3 years (range, 0.0-15.7; median, 2.4). Eighty-seven of these patients died (25%). Median survival was 10.0 years (95% confidence interval: 7.25-13.11).

Cellular death due to necrosis does not follow the apoptotic signal transduction pathway, but rather various receptors are activated and result in the loss of cell membrane integrity and an uncontrolled release of products of cell death into the extracellular space.

Necrotic tissue is dead or devitalized tissue. This tissue cannot be salvaged and must be removed to allow wound healing to take place.

Recovery takes 6 to 12 weeks. Practicing good wound care will help your wound heal properly. Call your doctor if you have increasing pain, swelling, or other new symptoms during recovery.

Symptoms of necrotizing skin infections often begin just as for a common skin infection,cellulitis. The skin may look pale at first but quickly becomes red or bronze and warm to the touch and sometimes swollen. Later, the skin turns violet, often with the development of large fluid-filled blisters (bullae).

Early symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis can include:

• A red, warm, or swollen area of skin that spreads quickly.
• Severe pain, including pain beyond the area of the skin that is red, warm, or swollen.
• Fever.

If you only have a small amount of skin necrosis, it might heal on its own or your doctor may trim away some of the dead tissue and treat the area with basic wound care in a minor procedure setting. Some doctors also treat skin necrosis with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

Soft tissue necrosis usually begins with breakdown of damaged mucosa, resulting in a small ulcer. Most soft tissue necroses will occur within 2 years after radiation therapy. Occurrence after 2 years is generally preceded by mucosal trauma.

Often, doctors can identify the type of skin infection based on the appearance and location. Your doctor may ask about your symptoms and closely examine any bumps, rashes, or lesions. For example, ringworm often causes a distinct circular, scaly rash.