Phosphorus is a chemical element that is found naturally in air, rocks, soil and organic materials. It is essential for life, and one of the main chemicals necessary for plant growth. As a result, the biggest use of phosphorus is in artificial fertilizers.
When gangrene affects your skin, signs and symptoms may include: 1  Skin discoloration â ranging from pale to blue, purple, black, bronze or red, depending on the type of gangrene you have. 2  A clear line between healthy and damaged skin. 3  Severe pain followed by a feeling of numbness.
In some cases, this is accompanied by muscle spasms, confusions, delusions and hallucinations, as well as a number of other symptoms. In gangrenous ergotism, the victim may lose parts of their extremities, such as toes, fingers, ear lobes or in more serious cases, arms and legs may be lost.