Cellulitis
Cellulitis is a common skin infection caused by bacteria.
Causes
Staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria are the most common causes of cellulitis.
Normal skin has many types of bacteria living on it. When there is a break in the skin, these bacteria can cause a skin infection. Skin in the infected area will become red, hot, irritated, swollen, and painful.
Risk factors for cellulitis include:
Cracks or peeling skin between the toes
History of peripheral vascular disease
Injury or trauma with a break in the skin (skin wounds)
Insect bites and stings, animal bites, or human bites
Ulcers from certain diseases, including diabetes and vascular disease
Use of corticosteroid medications or medications that suppress the immune system
Wound from a recent surgery
Symptoms
Symptoms of cellulitis include:
Fever
Pain or tenderness in the affected area
Skin redness or inflammation that gets bigger as the infection spreads
Skin sore or rash that starts suddenly, and grows quickly in the first 24 hours
Tight, glossy, stretched appearance of the skin
Warm skin in the area of redness
Signs of infection:
Chills or shaking
Fatigue
General ill feeling
Muscle aches and pains
Warm skin
Sweating
Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:
Hair loss at the site of infection
Joint stiffness caused by swelling of the tissue over the joint
Nausea and vomiting
Exams and Tests
The health care provider will perform a physical exam. This may reveal:
Redness, warmth, and swelling of the skin
Possible drainage, if there is an infection
Swollen glands (lymph nodes) near the affected area
Your health care provider may mark the edges of the redness with a pen, to see if the redness goes past the marked border over the next several days.
Tests that may be ordered include:
Blood culture
Complete blood count (CBC)
Culture of any fluid or material inside the affected area
Treatment
You will likely be prescribed antibiotics to be taken by mouth. You may be given pain medicine as well.
At home, raise the infected area higher than your heart to reduce swelling. Rest until your symptoms improve.
You may need to stay in a hospital if:
You are very sick (for example, you have a very high temperature, blood pressure problems, or nausea and vomiting that does not go away)
You have been on antibiotics and the infection is getting worse
Your immune system is not working well (due to cancer, HIV)
You have an infection around your eyes
You require antibiotics through a vein (IV)
Outlook (Prognosis)
Cellulitis usually goes away after taking antibiotics for 7 to 10 days. Longer treatment may be needed if cellulitis is more severe. This may occur if you have a chronic diseases or your immune system is not working properly.
People with fungal infections of the feet may have cellulitis that keeps coming back. Cracks in the skin from the fungal infection allows the bacteria to get into the skin.
Possible Complications
Blood infection (sepsis)
Bone infection (osteomyelitis)
Inflammation of the lymph vessels (lymphangitis)
Inflammation of the heart (endocarditis)
Meningitis
Shock
Tissue death (gangrene)
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if:
You have symptoms of cellulitis
You are being treated for cellulitis and you develop new symptoms, such as persistent fever, drowsiness, lethargy, blistering over the cellulitis, or red streaks that spread
Seek medical attention right away if the cellulitis is on your face.
Prevention
Protect your skin by:
Keeping your skin moist with lotions or ointments to prevent cracking
Wearing shoes that fit well and provide enough room for your feet
Learning how to trim your nails to avoid harming the skin around them
Wearing appropriate protective equipment when participating in work or sports
Whenever you have a break in the skin:
Clean the break carefully with soap and water. Apply an antibiotic cream or ointment every day.
Cover with a bandage and change it every day until a scab forms.
Watch for redness, pain, drainage, or other signs of infection.
