Bhargav

· 13 Nov 2021

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What is cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a skin infection that can be extremely painful. Discoloration, swelling, and tenderness may be the first symptoms. The discoloration and swelling can spread very fast. Cellulitis is typically red or pink on light skin. It can appear dark brown, gray, or purple on people with dark skin.

While the infection can occur anywhere on a person's body or face, it is most commonly found on the feet and lower legs.

It is common for cellulitis to occur on the skin's surface, but it can also affect tissues deep within the skin. There is a chance that the infection will spread to your lymph nodes and bloodstream. If you don't treat cellulitis, it could be deadly. Medical attention should be sought as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms.

Causes
Bacteria enter the skin through a break in the surface and cause cellulitis. For the most part, this infection is caused by Staphylococcus and Streptococcus bacteria. Cuts, bites, and surgical wounds are all examples of skin injuries that may lead to infection.

Treatment
Antibiotics are typically taken by mouth for a minimum of five days as part of cellulitis treatment.

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Your doctor can also give prescriptions for painkillers. Intravenous (IV) antibiotics may be given to patients as soon as they show signs of infection.
You should take a rest until you feel better. Swelling can be reduced by raising the affected limb above the level of your heart.

After taking antibiotics for 7 to 10 days, cellulitis should disappear. More severe infections may necessitate a more prolonged course of treatment.
The antibiotics prescribed by your doctor are essential, even if your symptoms begin to improve within a few days.

•    don't feel better within three days of starting antibiotics
•    notice your symptoms worsening
•    develop a fever
•    contact a doctor


The following conditions may necessitate IV antibiotic treatment in the hospital:

•    High fever.
•    Hypotension.
•    An infection that has not responded to oral antibiotics.
•    A compromised immune system results from other illnesses.

Symptoms
Your skin may appear red or inflamed, and you may notice a rash that spreads quickly. You may also experience pain and tenderness in the affected area and redness or inflammation of the skin.

•    an abscess with pus
•    a feeling of warmth in the affected area
•    More serious cellulitis symptoms include shaking and chills.

Aches and pains
Tiredness, drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, muscle aches, warm skin, and sweating. If left untreated, cellulitis can spread to other parts of the body. The following are possible symptoms if it spreads:
Blisters and red or dark brown streaks on the skin are common side effects. If you notice any of these symptoms, see your doctor immediately.


Is cellulitis a contagious disease?
For the most part, cellulitis is not contagious. If you have an open wound on your skin that comes into contact with skin already infected, you may be at risk of developing a bacterial skin infection. When cellulitis occurs due to a transmitted infection, it is extremely dangerous if not addressed immediately. The sooner you tell your doctor about cellulitis symptoms, the better.

If left untreated, cellulitis can lead to serious complications.
• severe tissue damage (gangrene)
• amputation
• damage to infected internal organs
• septic shock
• death

Are there any symptoms to look out for?
Your doctor can most likely diagnose cellulitis simply by looking at your skin.
• swollen glands
• redness and warmth in the affected area
• swelling of the skin

According to the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may recommend that you have the affected area checked for a few days to see if the swelling and bruising have progressed anywhere else. Your doctor may perform a bacterial culture on a sample of your blood or wound in some cases.


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