Cellulitis is a potentially serious bacterial skin infection. This condition causes the skin to become swollen, inflamed, and hot to the touch. It most commonly affects the lower legs, but it can also occur on the face, the arms, and in other body parts. This condition is linked to an established infection from a break in the skin or a wound. Without treatment, this condition can become life-threatening.
This condition typically only affects one side of the body. The most common symptoms of cellulitis are:
Cellulitis is caused when bacteria enter the skin, usually streptococcus and staphylococcus. This is usually due to a wound or another kind of break in the skin. The affected skin is usually on the lower limbs, but any part of the body can be affected. Surgical sites, ulcers on the legs, puncture wounds, and athletes’ foot are common skin issues that can lead to cellulitis.
The risk factors for cellulitis are:
Staphylococcus Aureus Infection (Staph Infections)
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome
Staphylococcus Aureus Infection Medications
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Cellulitis is usually diagnosed just by examining the affected skin. Skin scrapings and blood tests can also be used to diagnose this condition and to help rule out other conditions with similar symptoms. This condition tends to become an emergency fairly quickly, which leads to patients heading into the ER for diagnosis and then treatment.
Treatment can usually be done with an oral antibiotic. Patients are usually directed to follow up with their provider if they are not seeing any improvement in their cellulitis after a few days of treatment. Sometimes a different antibiotic will need to be taken in order to get rid of this kind of infection. Patients with extreme swelling, a very high fever, or with infections that do not respond to oral antibiotics might need to be admitted to the hospital for care.
Prevention of this condition is usually possible just by washing any wounds or breaks in the skin with soap and water. You can also apply protective creams and ointments to cuts and wounds. Covering wounds with a bandage is also a good idea. Be sure to check wounds for signs of infection regularly while they are healing.