Cellulitis what is it

Some cases of cellulitis are an emergency. Always talk with your healthcare provider immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:.

The symptoms of cellulitis may look like other skin conditions. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. Your healthcare provider will consider your age, overall health and severity of the condition when determining the appropriate treatment for you. Based on the physical exam, your healthcare provider may treat you in the hospital, depending on the severity of the cellulitis.

In the hospital, you may get antibiotics and fluids through an intravenous IV catheter. If skin breaks happen, keep the area clean and use an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment. Watch for signs of infection. If you have diabetes, visually check your feet for signs of skin breaks or infection. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. Cellulitis is a deep infection of the skin caused by bacteria. It usually affects the arms and legs. It can also develop around the eyes, mouth, and anus, or on the belly.

Normal skin can be affected by cellulitis, but it usually happens after some type of injury causes a skin break, including trauma or surgery. Once the skin breaks, bacteria can enter and cause infection. What causes cellulitis? What are the symptoms of cellulitis?

Each person may experience symptoms differently. Common symptoms include: Redness of the skin Swelling of the skin Tenderness Warm skin Pain Bruising Blisters Fever Headache Chills Weakness Red streaks from the original site of the cellulitis Some cases of cellulitis are an emergency.

Always talk with your healthcare provider immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms: A very large area of red, inflamed skin Fever If the area affected is causing numbness, tingling, or other changes in a hand, arm, leg, or foot If the skin appears black If the area that is red and swollen is around your eye s or behind the ear s If you have diabetes or have a weakened immune system and develop cellulitis The symptoms of cellulitis may look like other skin conditions.

Bacteria from the Streptococcus and Staphylococcus groups are common on the surface of the skin, where they are not harmful. If they enter the skin, usually through a cut or scratch, they can cause an infection. Obesity : Cellulitis is more common among people with excess weight or obesity.

Leg issues : Swelling edema and ulceration can increase the risk of developing the infection. Exposure to environmental factors : These include polluted water and some animals, including fish and reptiles. Lymphedema : This can lead to swollen skin, which can crack and allow bacteria to enter.

Other conditions : People with liver or kidney disease have a higher risk of developing cellulitis. Diabetes : If a person is not able to manage their diabetes effectively, problems with their immune system, circulation, or both can lead to skin ulcers.

Circulatory problems : People with poor blood circulation have a higher risk of infection spreading to deeper layers of the skin. Intravenous drug use : Injecting drugs, especially with used needles, can lead to abscesses and infections under the skin, increasing the risk of cellulitis. They may also take a swab or biopsy to find out which type of bacteria is present. Laboratory tests can help rule out other possible causes, as other conditions may look like cellulitis.

Identifying the cause and type of bacteria enables a doctor to prescribe the most suitable treatment. However, this can be challenging, as the presence of various types of bacteria on the skin can lead to inaccurate results. Permanent swelling: Without treatment, the person may develop permanent swelling in the affected area. Blood infection and sepsis: This life threatening condition results from bacteria entering the bloodstream, and it requires rapid treatment.

Symptoms of sepsis include a fever, a rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing, low blood pressure , dizziness when standing up, reduced urine flow, and skin that is sweaty, pale, and cold. Infection in other regions: In very rare cases, bacteria that have caused cellulitis spread to infect other parts of the body, including the muscles, bones, or heart valves.

If this happens, the person needs immediate treatment. However, a person can do some things to feel more comfortable while waiting for medical attention and during treatment.

Tips include :. Some people try natural remedies that have antibacterial properties, such as thyme and cypress oil. However, there is not enough scientific evidence to show that any plant-based remedies can treat cellulitis. Anyone with symptoms should receive medical help at once. Untreated cellulitis can be life-threatening. A person cannot always prevent cellulitis from developing, but there are some ways to reduce the risk. Treat cuts and grazes : Keep any cut, bite, graze, or wound — including those from recent surgery — clean to reduce the risk of infection.

Avoid scratching : If an insect bite, for example, is itchy, ask a pharmacist about how to reduce this feeling. When scratching is unavoidable, keeping the fingernails clean and short can help prevent infection. Take care of the skin : Moisturizers can prevent dry skin from cracking, but they will not help if an infection is already present.

Cellulitis can affect almost any part of the body. Most commonly, it occurs on the lower legs and in areas where the skin is damaged or inflamed. Anyone, at any age, can develop cellulitis. However, you are at increased risk if you smoke, have diabetes or poor circulation. Prior to the development of antibiotics, cellulitis was fatal. With the introduction of penicillin, most people recover fully within a week. Symptoms of cellulitis The range of symptoms can range from mild to severe, and can include: redness of the skin warmth swelling tenderness or pain in an area of skin weeping orleaking of yellow clear fluid or pus.

Complications of cellulitis The infection can spread to the rest of the body. The lymph nodes may swell and be noticed as a tender lump in the groin and armpit. You may also have fevers, sweats and vomiting. Causes of cellulitis Cellulitis usually occurs in skin areas that have been damaged or inflamed for other reasons, including: trauma, such as an insect bite, burn, abrasion or cut a surgical wound skin problems, such as eczema, psoriasis, scabies or acne a foreign object in the skin, such as metal or glass.

Often, it is not possible to find a cause for cellulitis. Diagnosis of cellulitis Tests may include: a swab — taken from the affected skin and sent to the laboratory for testing. It can take a few days to get a result and your doctor will be advised of the results other tests — such as blood tests and x-rays. Treatment for cellulitis Antibiotics are used to treat the infection. Oral antibiotics may be adequate, but in the severely ill person, intravenous antibiotics will be needed to control and prevent further spread of the infection.

This treatment is given in hospital or, sometimes, at home by a local doctor or nurse. As the infection improves, you may be able to change from intravenous to oral antibiotics, which can be taken at home for a further week to 10 days.

Most people respond to antibiotics in two to three days and begin to show improvement. In rare cases, the cellulitis may progress to a serious illness by spreading to deeper tissues. In addition to broad spectrum antibiotics, surgery is sometimes required.