What does it look like when you have cellulitis?
Cellulitis (sel-u-LIE-tis) is a common, potentially serious bacterial skin infection. The affected skin appears swollen and red and is typically painful and warm to the touch.
What’s the best way to get rid of cellulitis?
Common sense and good wound care are the best ways to prevent bacterial skin infections, including cellulitis. Clean all minor injuries that break the skin with soap and water. Clean all minor cuts and injuries that break the skin (like blisters and scrapes) with soap and water.
How does a break in the skin cause cellulitis?
When a break in the skin occurs, it allows for normal skin flora and other bacteria to enter into the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The introduction of these bacteria below the skin surface can lead to an acute superficial infection affecting the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissue, causing cellulitis.
What can be a mimic of cellulitis in the legs?
When there is poor blood flow in the lower legs due to malfunctioning valves in the veins (venous insufficiency), the result can be another common mimic of cellulitis: venous stasis dermatitis.
Can a person die from a cellulitis infection?
While complications are rare, they can be serious and life-threatening. Sometimes, severe cellulitis can cause the surrounding tissue to die. Rarely, bacteria can enter the bloodstream, spreading the infection to distant parts of the body.
How does cellulitis affect the deeper layers of the skin?
ANSWER: Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that typically affects the deeper layers of your skin and the layer of fat just beneath. It’s quite common, especially among middle-aged and older adults. Most often, cellulitis occurs when a crack or cut in your skin allows bacteria to get inside and multiply.
What happens if you get septicemia from cellulitis?
Septicemia occurs when the infection spreads to the bloodstream. In cases where septicemia isn’t fatal, amputation may be needed, and chronic pain and fatigue may remain. Septicemia can be fatal. Call 911 and go to the nearest emergency if you have cellulitis and experience: A cellulitis treatment that is not properly treated may return.
What kind of infections can you get from cellulitis?
Complications from cellulitis are uncommon but can include serious infections in the following locations: Cellulitis can cause vein swelling if blood clots form close to the skin (thrombophlebitis). Although rare, cellulitis may lead to a very serious infection called necrotizing fasciitis that needs immediate medical care.
What happens if you have cellulitis in Your Eyes?
Orbital cellulitis is an infection behind the eyes. It develops in the fat and muscle that surrounds the eye, and it can limit your eye movement. It can also cause pain, bulging, and loss of vision. This type of cellulitis is an emergency and requires immediate medical attention.
Is there any way to prevent cellulitis in the future?
Having cellulitis does not protect someone from getting it again in the future. While there is no vaccine to prevent cellulitis or group A strep infections in general, there are things you can do to protect yourself and others. Common sense and good wound care are the best ways to prevent bacterial skin infections, including cellulitis.
Is it possible to catch cellulitis from someone else?
In general, people cannot catch cellulitis from someone else. In general, cellulitis appears as a red, swollen, and painful area of skin that is warm and tender to the touch. The skin may look pitted, like the peel of an orange, or blisters may appear on the affected skin.
Can a break in the skin cause cellulitis?
However, if caught and treated early enough, you can clear it up without any long-term problems. Because cellulitis is caused by a bacterial infection that slips into the body through a break in the skin, you might not notice the injury right away.
What happens if you have an untreated cellulitis infection?
Cellulitis is a deep bacterial infection of the skin. Cellulitis usually causes redness, swelling, and tenderness. Good hygiene and skin care can help prevent cellulitis. Watch any breaks in the skin for signs of infection. Untreated cellulitis can lead to amputation, shock, and even death.
What do you need to know about cellulitis and bone infections?
What is Cellulitis? Cellulitis is a common infection of the skin and the soft tissues underneath. It happens when bacteria enter a break in the skin and spread. The result is infection, which may cause swelling, redness, pain, or warmth. You’re at risk if you have: Bone infections underneath the skin.