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Cellulitis - Cellulitis symptom, treatment, causes

Cellulitis is an acute, diffuse inflammation that spreads within solid tissues. Cellulitis is most often seen in the skin and its underlying tissues, but may involve deeper parts of the body. There is sudden onset of a spreading area of redness, swelling and pain, but without tissue destruction or pus formation. Cellulitis mostly seen in the legs, where it can spread rapidly. Red lines may be seen running from the affected area to swollen, tender lymph glands in the groin, and fever and malaise soon develop.

Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and underlying tissues that can affect any area of the body. The infection most commonly develops on the legs but can occur anywhere. The first symptoms are redness, pain, and tenderness over an area of skin. These symptoms are caused both by the bacteria themselves and by the body's attempts to halt the infection. Occasionally, other bacteria may cause cellulitis as well. Cellulitis appears as a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender, and it may spread rapidly. Cellulitis can be caused by normal skin flora or by exogenous bacteria, and often occurs where the skin has previously been broken: cracks in the skin, cuts, burns, insect bites, surgical wounds, or sites of intravenous catheter insertion. Streptococci spread rapidly in the skin because they produce enzymes that hinder the ability of the tissue to confine the infection. Cellulitis may progress to serious illness by uncontrolled spread contiguously or via the lymphatic or circulatory systems. Cellulitis usually follows a break in the skin, such as a fissure, cut, laceration, insect bite, or puncture wound. Facial cellulitis of odontogenic origin may also occur. Prevention of cellulitis is fairly straightforward. For those who have noticeable cuts, wound care is essential. Recommendations include washing new cuts immediately, applying a topical antibiotic ointment, and using bandages until wounds have scabbed over.

People with fungal infections of the feet, who have skin cracks in the webspaces between the toes, may have cellulitis that keeps coming back, because the cracks in the skin offer an opening for bacteria. Some cases of cellulitis appear on areas of trauma, where the skin has broken open, such as the skin near ulcers or surgical wounds. Cellulitis may be superficial - affecting only the surface of your skin - but cellulitis may also affect the tissues underlying your skin and can spread to your lymph nodes and bloodstream. Predisposing conditions for cellulitis include insect bite, animal bite, pruritic skin rash, recent surgery, athlete's foot, dry skin, eczema, burns & boils, though there is debate as to whether minor foot lesions contribute. Cellulitis requires particularly close monitoring when it infects the eyelid and tissues surrounding the eye. It can be the result of minor trauma to the area around the eye (such as an insect bite or a scratch), or it may be an extension of another infection, such as sinusitis. Any skin wound or ulcer that exhibits these signs may be developing cellulitis. Cellulitis may rarely result from the metastatic seeding of an organism from a distant focus of infection, especially in immunocompromised individuals. As the infection spreads, nearby lymph nodes may become enlarged and tender (lymphadenitis). Prompt treatment with antibiotics can prevent the infection from spreading rapidly and reaching the blood and organs.

Causes of Cellulitis

The common causes and risk factor's of Cellulitis include the following:

• Bacteria (usually Streptococcus or Staphylococcus ).
• Cracks or peeling skin between the toes.
• Injury or trauma with a break in the skin (skin wounds).
• Foreign objects in the skin.
• Use of immunosuppressive or corticosteroid medications.
• Alcoholism.
• Certain medical conditions, such as a circulatory disease, fluid buildup in the body tissues (edema), an impaired immune.

Symptoms of Cellulitis

Some sign and symptoms related to Cellulitis are as follows:

• Pain or tenderness of the area.
• Localized skin redness or inflammation that increases in size as the infection spreads.
• Skin lesion or rash (macule).
• Abscess.
• Drainage or leaking of yellow clear fluid or pus from the skin.
• Feeling weak.
• Fever.
• Red streaks from the original site of the cellulitis.

Treatment of Cellulitis

Here is list of the methods to treat Cellulitis:

• A child with severe cellulitis may be treated in the hospital using intravenous (IV) antibiotics.
• Bed rest and elevation of affected limbs is also recommended.
• Pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help reduce discomfort.
• Warm, wet dressings on the infection site.
• For cellulitis of the leg or arm, treatment also includes elevating the limb to reduce swelling and applying a sterile, saline-soaked dressing to aid healing and reduce pain.
• Analgesics may be needed to control pain.
• You may need hospitalization if the infection is well developed, extensive or in an important area, like the face.
• In cases of orbital cellulitis caused by a sinus infection, surgery may be required to drain the sinuses.

Periorbital Cellulitis & Orbital Cellulitis

Periorbital Cellulitis & Orbital Cellulitis is mostly caused by a streptococcal infection that enters through a skin break. Occasionally other bacteria are the culprits, and tests to identify them may be performed. Periorbital Cellulitis & Orbital Cellulitis is treated with antibiotics, bed rest.ainkillers, and elevation of the affected part. Treatment of Cellulitis in hospital with intravenous antibiotics is advised for severe cases. If antibiotic treatment is not started early. there is a high risk of septicaemia (blood-poisoning). Meningitis (inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord) or osteomyelitis (bone infection).