Overview

Anyone can get cellulitis, including children. Generally, a wound such as a cut, ulcer, animal bite, or surgical site puts a person at risk for cellulitis. Some people, however, particularly those with a weakened immune system, can get cellulitis without a cut or sore.

What is cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a type of bacterial skin infection that can cause symptoms such as pain, swelling, and redness. It happens when bacteria enter a break in the skin and spread. 

Cellulitis usually affects the skin on the lower legs, but it can occur in the face, arms and other areas. It occurs when a crack or break in your skin allows bacteria to enter.

What are the symptoms of cellulitis?

Cellulitis symptoms usually start as swollen, pink or red patches on the skin that can get larger and more severe as the infection spreads. Cellulitis can cause localized red, painful, swollen skin and systemic symptoms. The affected area quickly becomes deeper red, swollen, warm and tender, and enlarges as the cellulite spreads.

Discharge cellulitis can also cause fever and chills, which may precede local symptoms.

What causes cellulitis?

Cellulitis usually occurs when bacteria enter a wound or an area without skin. Cellulitis occurs when bacteria, most commonly streptococci and staphylococci, enter through a crack or tear in the skin.Streptococcus and group A staphylococcus are the most common causes of cellulitis and can be found on the skin as normal flora in healthy people.

Cellulite can also occur in  people with chronic conditions (such as diabetes) or who are taking medications that affect the immune system. However, in some people, especially those with weakened immune systems, cellulitis may be present without cuts or injury. Other forms of skin lesions that can increase exposure to bacteria and cellulitis include surgical wounds and insect bites.

Other conditions that can mimic cellulitis include deep vein thrombosis, which can be diagnosed with compression ultrasound of the leg, and stasis dermatitis, which is inflammation of the skin due to poor blood flow. 

How is cellulitis treated?

In most cases, your doctor will have you take an antibiotic medicine to treat your cellulitis.You can also  use calming creams to reduce the pain of cellulitis or treat redness.

Longer treatment may be needed if cellulitis is more severe. This may occur if you have a chronic disease or your immune system is not working properly.

Is cellulitis contagious?

Cellulitis isn't usually contagious, but it can spread if a person with an open wound touches actively infected skin.If you do develop cellulitis from a transmitted infection, it could be dangerous if you don’t treat it in a timely manner. This is why it’s important to tell your doctor as soon as you notice symptoms of cellulitis. 

When to seek medical care?

If you develop a painful, red, warm, and swollen patch of skin, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible to get treatment and avoid complications that can occur if cellulitis is left untreated. 

Takeaway

Cellulitis can affect any part of the body, but is most common on exposed parts of the body, such as the face, arms, or calves. In rare cases, cellulite can extend into a deep tissue called the fascial lining. If left untreated, it can spread and cause life-threatening infections. If cellulitis is left untreated for too long, cellulitis can cause pustules (abscesses) or the spread of bacteria into the blood (bacteremia).

DISCLAIMER              

Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice.