What is Cellulitis?
- Cellulitis is a common and sometimes painful bacterial skin infection. It may first appear as a red, swollen area that feels hot and tender to the touch. The redness and swelling can spread quickly.
- It most often affects the skin of the lower legs, although the infection can occur anywhere on a personâs body or face.
- Cellulitis usually happens on the surface of the skin, but it may also affect the tissues underneath. The infection can spread to your lymph nodes and bloodstream.
Causes:
Cellulitis occurs when certain types of bacteria enter the skin through a cut or crack. Staphylococcus and Streptococcus bacteria can cause this infection.
The infection can start in skin injuries such as:
- cuts
- bug bites
- surgical wounds
Symptoms:
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
- light headedness
- muscle aches
- warm skin
- sweating
Symptoms like these could mean that cellulitis is spreading:
- drowsiness
- lethargy
- blisters
- red streaks
Contact your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms.
Treatment:
- Cellulitis treatment involves taking antibiotics by mouth for 5 to 14 days. Your doctor may also prescribe pain relievers.
- Rest until your symptoms improve. Raise the affected limb higher than your heart to reduce swelling.
- Cellulitis should go away within 7 to 10 days after you start taking antibiotics. You might need longer treatment if your infection is severe due to a chronic condition or a weakened immune system.
- Even if your symptoms improve within a few days, take all the antibiotics your doctor prescribed. This will make sure all of the bacteria are gone
Contact your doctor if:
- You donât feel better within 3 days after starting antibiotics
- Your symptoms get worse
- You develop a fever
You may need to be treated with intravenous (IV) antibiotics in a hospital if you have:
- A high temperature
- Low blood pressure
- An infection that doesnât improve with antibiotics
- A weakened immune system due to other disease.
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