Cellulitis is not the same as cellulite, i.e. Orange peel. Cellulitis is an inflammation of the connective tissue - a bacterial disease that can cause serious complications. If left untreated, cellulitis can lead to the development of meningitis and even sepsis. What are the causes and symptoms of cellulitis? What is the treatment of this disease?

Cellulitismeanscellulitis- acute, spreading inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, i.e. the deeper layers of the skin. In adults, it usually develops in the legs, face and arms, and in children around the face and around the anus.

Cellulitisis not the same ascellulite , deformed fatty tissue that gives the skin an orange peel-like appearance. Both terms have only a similar wording.

Contents:

  1. Cellulitis (cellulitis) - causes and risk factors
  2. Cellulitis (cellulitis) - symptoms
  3. Cellulitis (cellulitis) - serious complications
  4. Cellulitis (cellulitis) - diagnosis
  5. Cellulitis (cellulitis) - treatment
  6. Cellulitis (cellulitis) - prevention
  7. Is cellulitis contagious?

Cellulitis (cellulitis) - causes and risk factors

The cause of cellulitis is infection with bacteria. Cellulitis is usually caused by staphylococci ( Staphylococcus ) - most often golden staphylococcus ( Staphylococcus aureus ). In some cases, the cause of the disease may be streptococcal from the groupStreptococcus A.The infection occurs most often after mechanical damage to the skin (e.g. ear piercing, tattooing, surgery), burns or bites.

In children under 6 years of age, Haemophilus influenzae is a common cause of cellulitis (especially on the face, arms and upper body), which mainly causes respiratory infections (most commonly the flu) and bacterial meningitis .

Cellulitis can also develop after a dog or cat carrying the bacteria scratch or bite a personPasteurellamultocida . In rare cases, the cause of infection is erysipelas ( Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae ), which can enter the human body, among others after the skin is damaged by a fish or a crab during a bath in the sea. The same bacterium can cause cellulitis after skin trauma while working on pigs or poultry.

However, it is not uncommon for cellulitis to develop without breaking the skin. People suffering from eczema, psoriasis and mycosis of the skin (especially athlete's foot), as well as other inflammatory skin diseases, are most at risk of this type of infection. People who have diabetes, suffer from circulatory disorders in the lower limbs, have a weakened immune system (e.g. as a result of HIV infection, taking medications that weaken immunity, e.g. immunosuppressants after transplantation, corticosteroids) are also at risk of developing cellulitis. , as well as those struggling with edema.

Cellulitis (cellulitis) - symptoms

appear within the infected area of ​​the skin
  • tenderness
  • pain
  • increased warmth
  • swelling
  • blisters
  • petechiae
  • redness

There may also be a red line running from the infected skin to the nearest lymph nodes (this is the result of infection in the subcutaneous vessels of the nodes), which are usually enlarged.

If the inflammation spreads further, general symptoms characteristic of the inflammation in the body appear:

  • low-grade fever or fever
  • chills
  • poty
  • headaches
  • nausea
Important

Cellulitis (cellulitis) - serious complications

Sometimes an infection can spread throughout the body through the bloodstream. Then, potentially fatal sepsis (sepsis) can develop, with symptoms such as hypotension, tachycardia, high fever, confusion, rapid breathing, or vomiting.

If cellulitis occurs in the face, there is a risk that the infection will spread to the meninges and the brain.

Cellulitis (cellulitis) - diagnosis

The doctor performs a physical examination (looks at the diseased part of the skin) and orders blood tests. In cellulitis, inflammatory markers such as CRP and ESR may be elevated. You should also perform a microbiological test of swabs taken from infected areas of the skin to know which bacteria are responsible for the disease, and thus -what antibiotics to include in the treatment.

Cellulitis (cellulitis) - treatment

Antibiotic therapy is being used. The treatment of choice is amoxicillin. The antibiotic should be used until all symptoms of acute inflammation have disappeared (this could mean taking antibiotics for up to 2 months)

In addition, painkillers are also used, but only selected (e.g. paracetamol) and only in exceptional circumstances. It is recommended to avoid NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, during the acute phase of the disease, as these drugs can lead to serious complications, such as necrotizing fasciitis.

If the disease has attacked a limb, make sure it is properly positioned - it should be raised to facilitate the outflow of blood.

In severe cases, the sick person must be hospitalized. Then the antibiotics are administered intravenously.

Cellulitis (cellulitis) - prevention

First of all, you should take care of the skin, i.e. keep it clean and use a moisturizer to prevent it from drying out and cracking. In addition, wash dirty wounds and cuts, and apply sterile dressings over open wounds.

Important

Is cellulitis contagious?

Cellulitis is, in theory, a contagious disease. However, it is rare for someone to catch the disease from another person. Cellulitis is an infection of the deeper layers of the skin, the dermis and the subcutaneous tissue, therefore the top layer of the skin (epidermis) provides protection against infection. In order to get sick, so-called Predisposing factors such as ringworm, ulcers, etc. This distinguishes cellulitis from superficial skin infections that can be contagious, such as contagious impetigo.

Category:

Dermatology