Why Would I Need Cellulitis Care?

Cellulitis is a deep infection of the skin as a result of encroaching bacteria. It most often affects the legs and then the arms. It can also develop around your eyes, mouth, or belly. Normal skin can sometimes be affected by cellulitis, but it usually happens following some kind of injury that causes a skin break, including a traumatic event or surgery. Once your skin breaks, bacteria can enter and cause the infection.

What Causes Cellulitis?

Cellulitis is usually the result of bacteria entering a wound or an area where there is no skin. The most common bacteria that cause cellulitis include:

Group A- β-hemolytic streptococcus, or Strep.
Streptococcus pneumoniae, or Strep.
Staphylococcus aureus, or Staph.

Strep and Staph bacteria are commonly found on your healthy skin and mucous membranes of your mouth and nose. The infection occurs when there is a break in the skin, which allows the bacteria to enter. Other causes can include animal bites or injuries that happen in water.

What are the Symptoms of Cellulitis?

Each person might experience symptoms differently. Common symptoms include:

Redness of your skin.
Some swelling of your skin.
Tender to the touch.
Your skin feels warm.
Discomfort of pain.
More bruising.
New blisters.
A fever.
Recurring headaches.
Frequent chills.
Feeling a weakness.
Red streaks from the original site of the cellulitis.

Some cases of cellulitis are considered an emergency. Always talk with your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:

A large area of red, inflamed skin.
You have a nagging fever.
If the area affected is causing numbness, tingling, or changes in your leg, foot, arm, or hand.
If your skin appears black.
If the area that is red and swollen is around your eye or behind an ear.
If you have diabetes or have a weakened immune system and have developed cellulitis.

The symptoms of cellulitis can look like other skin conditions. Always talk with your doctor for a diagnosis.

What are the Complications of Cellulitis?

Complications of cellulitis can become serious. These can include extensive tissue damage or dying tissue, gangrene. The infection can also spread to your blood, bones, heart, lymph system, or nervous system. These infections will lead to shock, amputation, or even death. Key points about cellulitis:

Cellulitis is a serious deep bacterial infection of your skin.
Cellulitis most often causes redness, swelling, and tenderness.
Proper hygiene and skin care will help prevent cellulitis.
Watch for any cuts, cracks, or breaks in your skin for signs of infection.

How is Cellulitis Treated?

Your doctor will consider your age, your overall health, and the severity of the condition when determining the appropriate treatment.

Getting treated quickly will help prevent the spread of cellulitis. Treatment may include:

Oral, intramuscular injection, or intravenous (IV) antibiotics.
Cool, wet dressings on the infection site.
Keeping the area dry and clean.
Minor surgery.
If your arm or leg is affected, elevating the arm or leg will help.
Rest.
Proper time to heal.
Topical or oral antibiotics.
Pain medicine as needed.

Based on your physical exam, your doctor might need to treat you in the hospital, depending on the severity of the cellulitis. In most cases at at-home care will suffice.