MD Podiatrist Discusses Cause of Mummification of Feet

Details continue to emerge regarding the deaths of actor Gene Hackman, 95, and his wife, Betsy Arakawa, 65. According to an affidavit obtained by NBC News, Arakawa had “bloating in her face and mummification in both hands and feet. “Some conditions, such as dry gangrene, can cause an appearance similar to mummification, Dan Michaels DPM says. “It occurs when there is a significant reduction in blood supply to a body part,” Michaels said. “We see it a lot in toes and feet because they are the farthest away from the heart, causing the tissue to die and dehydrate.”

Dry gangrene often happens in people with uncontrolled diabetes or severe peripheral artery disease, a condition in which the arteries that carry blood to the arms and legs narrow or are blocked, Dr. Michaels said. “When blood flow to an area is severely compromised, the tissue dies but remains relatively dry, leading to the appearance of mummification,” he added. “In a living person, this can sometimes be incredibly painful and may necessitate surgical intervention such as amputation to prevent complications.”