Causes, Symptoms And Treatment Of Cellulitis

Cellulitis is one of the most common types of skin infection. It can affect people of any age and occur anywhere on the body. The condition is characterized by a red, swollen area of skin that feels hot, tender and painful. This kind of infection is potentially serious and sufferers should seek medical attention. Most cases can be successfully treated with a course of oral antibiotics.

Harmful bacteria such as streptococci or staphylococci often live on the skin's surface. If the skin is broken, these microorganisms can invade the underlying tissues and establish an infection. The bacteria can enter through a bite, scratch, blister or wound. They can also infect skin that is cracked or peeling due to dryness or conditions such as athlete's foot. In some instances, the initial damage to the skin is so minor that it goes undetected.

People with diabetes are especially vulnerable to cellulitis due to their weakened immune systems and tendency to develop foot ulcers. People with venous diseases such as gravitational eczema or lymphoedema are also prone to bacterial skin infections. Conditions which affect the circulation, such as obesity, pregnancy and alcoholism also increase the risk for cellulitis.

Cellulitis causes a skin rash which starts suddenly and grows rapidly in the first 24 hours. The affected area is painful and unusually warm to the touch. Skin may appear swollen or tight and stretched. Blisters, abscesses or erosions may form on the surface. Symptoms of severe infection include fatigue, fever, chills or trembling, nausea, sweating, muscle aches and swollen lymph glands.

A doctor can usually diagnose cellulitis by evaluating the symptoms and performing a physical examination. A swab may be applied to any pustules in the skin and a cell sample taken for lab testing. This can reveal the specific type of bacteria responsible. If the patient has a high fever, blood tests may be performed to assess the extent of infection. Occasionally, further investigations are required to rule out alternative diagnoses.

If the infection has not spread from the skin to the bloodstream, it can usually be treated with a five to ten day course of penicillin-based oral antibiotics. During recovery, patients are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids and elevate the affected area to reduce swelling. Over-the-counter analgesics such as paracetamol or ibuprofen may be taken to relieve pain and fever.

In cases of severe or widespread infection, the patient may be admitted to a hospital. Treatment usually involves a two to four day course of intravenous antibiotics administered through a drip. Complications arising from the infection and chronic dermatological diseases may be treated simultaneously. When symptoms improve, the patient is discharged and treatment switches over to antibiotic tablets.

Good hygiene is the best defence against cellulitis. Hands should be washed before and after touching a wound or skin condition to help prevent the spread of bacteria. Dry skin should be moisturized to prevent cracks which can create an entry point for infection. Cuts, grazes and bites should be cleaned and disinfected with anti-bacterial creams or sprays. Wounds should be protected with dressings or bandages.


What You Should Know About Cellulitis

Cellulitis is one of the most frequently diagnosed types of skin infection. It can occur at any age and affect any part of the body. The condition produces a red, hot and swollen patch of painful skin. Sufferers should promptly seek medical attention as the infection can become serious. A prescribed course of oral antibiotics will quickly clear up the majority of cases.

The skin's surface is often home to harmful bacteria such as streptococcus pyogenes and staphylococcus aureus. A break in the skin can allow these microorganisms to invade and infect the underlying tissue. Bacteria can infest a wound, blister or scratch. They can also enter the body where skin is cracked or peeling due to dryness, athlete's foot or dermatological conditions. Infection can even occur when skin damage is barely noticeable.

Conditions which cause poor circulation, such as alcoholism, obesity and pregnancy increase the risk of cellulitis. Diabetics are more likely to contract bacterial skin infections because they have weakened immune systems and often develop foot ulcers. Venous diseases such as gravitational dermatitis or lymphoedema make people especially prone to cellulitis.

Cellulitis produces a crimson rash which arises suddenly and expands rapidly over the following 24 hours. The area may be inflamed or appear tight and stretched. The affected skin feels unusually warm and is sore to the touch. Abscesses, erosions or blisters may break out on the surface. If the infection is severe, the patient may experience symptoms such as fever, sweating, chills or trembling, muscle aches, nausea, fatigue or swollen lymph glands.

A physician diagnoses cellulitis by assessing the symptoms and conducting a physical examination. A cell sample may be taken by applying a swab to pustules. This can be tested in a lab to determine the specific species of bacteria responsible. If a patient's temperature is abnormally high, blood tests may be taken to reveal the extent of the infection. In some cases, further investigations are needed to rule out a likely alternative diagnosis.

A bacterial skin infection which has not spread to the bloodstream can usually be successfully treated at home with penicillin-based antibiotic tablets. During the five to ten days of recovery, patients are advised to stay hydrated and keep the affected limb elevated to decrease swelling. Pain and fever can be reduced with analgesic medications such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.

If the infection is severe or widespread, the patient may need to be hospitalized for around two to four days. During this time, antibiotics are administered intravenously by means of a drip. Any pre-existing dermatological diseases or complications associated with the infection will also be addressed. When symptoms improve, the patient can return home and continue treatment with oral antibiotics.

The best way to avoid cellulitis is to practice good hygiene. To prevent the spread of bacteria, hands should be thoroughly washed before and after touching damaged skin. Grazes, bites and cuts should be cleaned and then disinfected with an anti-bacterial spray or ointment. Injuries should be protected with the appropriate dressings or bandages. Dry, flaking skin should be moisturized before it cracks and allows bacteria to enter.


A Brief Guide To Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a common type of skin infection affecting children and adults. It can cause skin on any part of the body to become red, swollen, painful and unusually warm. Sufferers are advised to seek medical attention promptly as the infection may have serious consequences. The majority of cases can be successfully resolved with oral antibiotics.

The surface of the skin is home to bacteria such as staphylococci or streptococci. Any type of skin damage can allow these harmful microorganisms to enter the underlying tissue and establish an infection. Bacteria can invade through a wound, blister or bite. They can also infest skin that has cracked or peeled due to dryness or dermatological conditions such as athlete's foot. Infection can occur though a barely detectable scratch.

Diabetics are especially susceptible to cellulitis due to weak immune systems and a tendency to develop skin ulcers. People with or lymphoedema, gravitational eczema or other venous diseases are also vulnerable to bacterial skin infections. Conditions such as alcoholism, pregnancy and obesity increase the risk of cellulitis due to their effect on circulation.

Cellulitis produces a skin rash which appears suddenly and rapidly expands over a 24 hour period. The reddened skin can be visibly swollen or stretched. The affected area is sore, tender and hot and may break out in pustules, abscesses or blisters. Signs of a severe infection include swollen lymph glands, fever, chills, trembling, sweating, muscle aches, nausea and fatigue.

In order to diagnose cellulitis, a doctor evaluates the patient's symptoms and performs a physical examination. A cell sample may be taken by means of a swab applied to erosions in the skin. This can be tested in a lab to reveal the particular species of bacteria responsible. If the patient has an abnormally high temperature, blood tests may be conducted to determine the extent of the infection. In cases where an alternative diagnosis is possible, further investigations may be necessary.

If the infection is confined to the skin, it is usually treated with penicillin-based antibiotics. A five to ten day course of tablets is prescribed. During the recovery period, patients are advised to stay well hydrated and elevate the affected limb to decrease swelling. Over-the-counter medications such as ibuprofen or paracetamol can be taken to reduce pain and fever.

If the infection has spread into the bloodstream, the patient may require two to four days of hospital treatment. During this time, intravenous antibiotics are administered through a drip. If the patient has a pre-existing dermatological disease or the infection has led to complications, these conditions will also be addressed. When symptoms improve, the patient is sent home to continue treatment with oral antibiotics.

The best way defend against cellulitis is to stop the spread of bacteria through good hygiene. Hands should be carefully washed before and after coming in contact with a wound or skin condition. Cuts, bites or abrasions should be cleansed and then disinfected an anti-bacterial ointment or spray. Injuries should be protected with bandages or dressings. A moisturizer regularly applied to areas of dry, flaking skin will help prevent cracks that could allow bacteria to enter.



