What Are the Symptoms of Cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a skin infection that can spread, found most often in the lower legs. It is caused by bacteria entering through a cut or break in your skin. The affected skin will be swollen, uncomfortable, and warm to the touch. The infection can easily cause a fever and progress into a significant issue, involving deeper tissues. The condition usually clears up with antibiotics.

Symptoms of Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a common condition that can occur anywhere on your body, but usually involves the lower leg and sometimes just one side of the body. Cellulitis symptoms include:

  1. Swelling of the immediate area.
  2. Your skin is warm to the touch.
  3. Discomfort or pain.
  4. You have a fever.
  5. Frequent chills.
  6. Spots on the skin.
  7. Blisters have formed.
  8. Your skin is dimpling.

Causes of Cellulitis

Cellulitis occurs when bacteria enter your body through a crack, cut, or break in your skin. Bacteria are likely to enter dry, broken, flaky, or swollen skin. Some entry point examples are a recent surgical site, a cut, a sore, a puncture wound, and skin affected by athlete’s foot or dermatitis. Cellulitis is not spread from person to person.

Risk Factors of Cellulitis

Several factors put you at increased risk:

  1. Injury- Any cut, crack, scrape, or burn gives bacteria an entry point.
  2. Weakened immune system- Any condition that weakens the immune system increases the risk of infection. Examples are diabetes, leukemia, and HIV/AIDS. Medicines can also weaken the immune system.
  3. Skin conditions- Conditions such as eczema, athlete’s foot, and shingles can cause breaks in the skin and allowing bacteria to enter.
  4. Long-term swelling of the arms or legs- This condition is called lymphedema and sometimes happens after surgery.
  5. History of cellulitis- Already having had cellulitis increases the risk of getting it again.
  6. Being overweight- Excess weight will increase your risk of developing cellulitis.

Prevention Precautions

If you have repeated episodes of cellulitis, your doctor may recommend taking an antibiotic to prevent it from coming back.

To help prevent cellulitis, consider taking these precautions when you have a skin wound:

  1. Gently wash your wound daily with soap and water.
  2. Ask your doctor whether it would help to apply cream or ointment. For minor wounds, the products you can buy, such as petroleum jelly without a prescription, provide good protection.
  3. Cover the wound with a bandage and change the bandage at least daily.
  4. Watch for any signs of infection. Irritation, pain, and pus are all signs of infection and the need for medical care.

If you have diabetes or poor circulation, you need to take extra care to prevent skin injury. Good skin care includes the following:

  1. Inspect your feet daily- Check your feet for any injuries so that you can catch the infection early.
  2. Moisturize your skin at least once a day- This will help prevent the skin from cracking and peeling. Do not apply a moisturizer to an open sore.
  3. Trim your fingernails and toenails with care- Take your time and try not to cut the surrounding skin.
  4. Protect your hands and feet- Wear footwear and gloves that are suitable for your activities.
  5. Treat athlete’s foot and toenail fungal infections– As soon as they occur.

Related Article: What Causes Cellulitis?