Disease Insights: cellulitis
Welcome to the ultimate guide on cellulitis. Here, you'll find answers to the most common questions to help you or your loved ones understand and manage this condition better.
Description for cellulitis
A bacterial skin infection causing redness, swelling, warmth, and pain in the affected area, often occurring on the legs.
Symptoms of cellulitis
chills, fever, pain or tenderness, red, swollen skin, warm skin
Precautions for cellulitis
Keep the skin clean and dry, Take prescribed antibiotics, Avoid scratching the affected area, Elevate the affected area to redu
Questions Covered:
- what is cellulitis?
- What are the usual symptoms of cellulitis?
- causes of cellulitis?
- What are the potential risk factors associated with cellulitis?
- How do doctors usually figure out if someone has cellulitis, diagnosis?
- What are the possible complications that could arise from cellulitis?
- What are the ways to prevent cellulitis?
Answers:
Question: what is cellulitis?
Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection that can cause skin to become painful and discolored. If left untreated, the infection can spread and cause serious complications.
There are over 14 million
cases of cellulitis in the United States each year. The infection can occur anywhere on the body, leading to serious complications if untreated.
This article discusses the causes, treatments, and symptoms of cellulitis. Read on to learn more.
Question: What are the usual symptoms of cellulitis?
Cellulitis symptoms include:
pain and tenderness in the affected area
redness or inflammation of your skin
a skin sore or rash that grows quickly
tight, glossy, swollen skin
a feeling of warmth in the affected area
an abscess with pus
fever
More serious cellulitis symptoms include:
shaking
chills
feeling ill
fatigue
dizziness
lightheadedness
muscle aches
warm skin
sweating
Cellulitis can spread into other parts of your body if left untreated. If it does spread, you may develop some of the following symptoms:
drowsiness
lethargy (fatigue)
blisters
red or dark brown streaks on the skin
Contact a doctor right away if you have symptoms of cellulitis.
Question: causes of cellulitis?
Cellulitis occurs when certain types of bacteria enter the skin through a break in its surface. Staphylococcus and Streptococcus (strep) bacteria commonly cause cellulitis.
Cellulitis can start in skin injuries, such as:
cuts
bug bites
surgical wounds
Question: What are the potential risk factors associated with cellulitis?
Several factors increase your chance
of getting cellulitis.
For example, you're more likely to develop cellulitis if you have a skin condition like eczema or athlete's foot. Bacteria can enter your skin through cracks caused by these conditions.
A weakened immune system also increases your risk of developing cellulitis because it can't provide as much protection against the infection.
Other risk factors include having:
a cut, scrape, or other injury to the skin
diabetes
swelling in your arms or legs (lymphedema)
obesity
Question: How do doctors usually figure out if someone has cellulitis, diagnosis?
Your doctor will likely be able to diagnose cellulitis just by looking at your skin. A physical exam might reveal:
swelling of the skin
redness and warmth of the affected area
swollen glands
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may want to monitor the affected area for a few days to see if the discoloration and swelling have spread. Sometimes, your doctor may take blood or a wound sample to test for bacteria.
If you need help finding a primary care doctor, check out our FindCare tool here.
Question: What are the possible complications that could arise from cellulitis?
Complications of cellulitis can be severe if left untreated. Some complications can include:
severe tissue damage (gangrene)
amputation
damage to internal organs that become infected
septic shock
death
Question: What are the ways to prevent cellulitis?
If you have a break in your skin, clean it right away and apply antibiotic ointment. Cover your wound with ointment and a bandage until it's fully healed. Change the bandage daily.
Watch your wounds for discoloration, drainage, or pain. These could be signs of an infection.
Take these precautions if you have poor circulation or a condition that increases your risk of cellulitis:
Keep your skin moist to prevent cracking.
Promptly treat conditions that cause cracks in the skin, like athlete's foot.
Wear protective equipment when you work or play sports.
Inspect your feet daily for signs of injury or infection.
Useful Articles on cellulitis
Additional Information and Resources:
Conclusion & Takeaways
Learning about cellulitis is the first step toward taking control of your health. By understanding its causes, symptoms, and treatments, you empower yourself to make informed decisions. Remember to consult healthcare professionals for personalized advice and support.