Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that affects the skin. The bacteria enter through cracks that the skin may have. It affects mostly the surface of the skin and sometimes the underneath tissues. Cellulitis can affect any part of the skin and can lead to serious complications if not treated. Most often it affects the lower legs and feet.

It first appears as discolored, swollen with a tender touch, and hot. These effects spread quickly and appear red or pin on light skin and dark brown, gray, or purple on dark skin. The intensity of the spread of the infection depends on one's immunity system. The impact it brings on the skin is a very painful feeling.

Causes of Cellulitis

Cellulitis is caused by two bacteria namely, Staphylococcus and Streptococcus. These bacteria enter the skin through any crack. The infection can start from an injury on the skin, a cut, bug bites or even surgical wounds.

Types of Cellulitis

Classification of types of cellulitis is characterized by the area the infection affects. These types include

 Periorbital cellulitis – This type of cellulitis affects the areas around the eyes.

  Perianal cellulitis – this infection develops around the anal areas

 Facial cellulitis – the infection develops around the cheek nose and eyes.

 Breast cellulitis – the infection develops around the breasts

The above types of cellulitis are just about a few parts of the body. This infection affects any skin part of the body whereby in adults it affects the lower legs mostly while in children it affects the neck and face.

There are some of the risk factors that may contribute to cellulitis. They include

•    An individual with leg issues. Mostly those leg swelling and ulceration increase the risk of contracting cellulitis.

•    Exposure to harmful environmental factors. Polluted water may increase the contraction of the infection. Even reptiles may contribute too.

•    Obesity or excess weights contribute to a high risk of contracting cellulitis. Most obese people have this infection.

Signs and Symptoms of Cellulitis

Symptoms may be experienced in the affected areas. The symptoms include;

Tenderness
 Warmth
 Pain
 Redness on light skin while gray skin on dark individuals
 Swelling

Individuals may also experience
    Fatigue
    Nausea
    Fever
    Shivering
    Shivering and cold sweets

Diagnosis and Treatment

Before a doctor prescribes medication on a cellulit individual there are a few steps to consider.

A doctor needs to examine the type of bacteria that caused the infection. The examination can be done by taking of swab biopsy. This procedure enables the doctor to prescribe the most suitable treatment to the cellulite patient.

One needs to seek medical attention as soon as they feel like they are infected with cellulitis. This prevents the severity of the infection thus healing is assured.

PREVENTION

Cellulitis can be prevented through the following steps
•    Treatment of cuts and grazes and keeping them clean
•    Taking good care of the skin to avoid cracks
•    Wearing of long-sleeved and avoid shorts when in risky areas

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