Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that commonly affects the lower extremities but can affect your face, arms, and other areas of the body.
Cellulitis occurs when there are breaks in the skin that allow bacteria to enter your body. This type of infection can spread quickly throughout the body.
The most common bacteria found within this infection are Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. When there are breaks in the skin, those bacteria will enter. Breaks in the skin can be caused by recent surgical sites, cuts, punctures, or ulcers. Even Athlete’s Foot or Dermatitis can cause breaks in the skin.
Some signs and symptoms to watch out for are redness, swelling, and pain.
Other signs and symptoms can present as:
- Tenderness
- Warmth
- Fever
- Chills
- Spots
- Blisters
- Skin Dimpling
- Irritated area of the skin that expands and spreads
If left untreated, infection can spread to lymph nodes and even body stem cells, becoming life threatening. If you develop a fluid filled blister that bursts, it could lead to a painful ulceration that is deep within the skin.
Cellulitis is usually not contagious and isn’t spread from person to person.
Risk factors for Cellulitis:
- Overweight
- Prior history of Cellulitis
- Lymphedema
- Skin Conditions
- Weakened Immune System
- Injury
All the above mentioned can increase your chances of contracting cellulitis.
Treatments for cellulitis when it first presents are oral antibiotics, such as, Doxycycline or Cephalexin. When starting on an oral antibiotic, you should start to feel better within 7-10 days.
Your doctor may have you return to the office within a week for a reevaluation of your symptoms. The doctor may even order a visiting nurse that would come to your home several times a week for dressing changes and to keep a close watch on your situation.
If things do not improve or if you notice pain or swelling has increased along with any other new symptoms, your doctor may start you on IV antibiotics. You would also want to seek emergency care at this time, and they will start you on IV antibiotics. This would mean that you will be admitted to the hospital.
You know your body and when things just don’t seem right, so don’t let things go. See your doctor and take care of your body.
Sheila Cain, PMAC, PMAR
