how would you describe cellulitis

Symptoms

Key points about cellulitis

• 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.

Causes

Cellulitis usually affects the skin on the lower legs, but it can occur in the face, arms and other areas. It occurs when a crack or break in your skin allows bacteria to enter. Left untreated, the infection can spread to your lymph nodes and bloodstream and rapidly become life-threatening. It isn't usually spread from person to person.

Prevention

Part 1 Part 1 of 3: Spotting Local Symptoms

1. Pay attention to inflammation, redness, and warmth. These are the tell-tale sign of cellulitis. ...
2. Observe a central area that is swollen and potentially filled with pus. ...
3. Report sensitivity and pain to touch the skin. ...
4. Feel a heat or warmth radiating from the infected area. ...

Complications

Cellulitis

• Symptoms of cellulitis. It most often affects the lower legs, but can occur anywhere. ...
• When to get professional advice. ...
• Treatments for cellulitis. ...
• Outlook for cellulitis. ...
• Causes of cellulitis. ...
• Preventing cellulitis. ...
• Additional symptoms. ...

What is cellulitis, and how do you get it?

How dangerous is cellulitis?

How to tell if you have cellulitis?

What do you need to know about cellulitis?

How to treat cellulitis in the hospital?

Most cellulitis infections can be treated with antibiotics that are taken by mouth (oral antibiotics). More serious infections may need to be treated in the hospital with intravenous (IV) antibiotics, which are given directly into a vein.

What does it mean when your skin is red and swollen?

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. Some people may also develop fever and chills. Cellulitis can appear anywhere on the body, but it is most common on the feet and legs.

What is the condition that causes redness, swelling, and pain in the infected area of the skin?

Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection that causes redness, swelling, and pain in the infected area of the skin. If untreated, it can spread and cause serious health problems. Good wound care and hygiene are important for preventing cellulitis.

How do you get cellulitis?

How People Get Cellulitis. Experts do not know how the bacteria get into the body for many people who get cellulitis. Sometimes the bacteria get into the body through openings in the skin, like an injury or surgical wound. In general, people cannot catch cellulitis from someone else.

What are the factors that increase the risk of cellulitis?

Other factors that increase someone’s risk for cellulitis include: Problems with the lymphatic system so it does not drain the way it should (lymphedema); the lymphatic system is a part of the body’s immune system that helps move fluid that contains infection-fighting cells throughout the body.

How to prevent 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 to diagnose cellulitis?

Doctors typically diagnose cellulitis by doing a physical examination and looking at the affected skin. Blood or other lab tests are usually not needed.

What is cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a deep infection of the skin caused by bacteria. It usually affects the arms and legs. It can also develop around the eyes, mouth, and anus, or on the belly. Normal skin can be affected by cellulitis, but it usually happens after some type of injury causes a skin break, including trauma or surgery. Once the skin breaks, bacteria can enter and cause infection.

What are the symptoms of cellulitis?

Each person may experience symptoms differently. Common symptoms include:

How is cellulitis diagnosed?

Diagnosis is usually based on a medical history and physical exam. Blood and skin samples may be taken to confirm the diagnosis and the type of bacteria that is present. A bacterial culture can identify the organism causing the condition and indicate the most effective antibiotic.

When should I call my healthcare provider?

If a wound begins to swell, turn red, feel warm, become painful, or the redness/warmth begins to spread from the wound, you should see your healthcare professional right away.

How do you know if you have cellulitis?

Some cases of cellulitis are an emergency. Always talk with your healthcare provider immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms: A very large area of red, inflamed skin. Fever. If the area affected is causing numbness, tingling, or other changes in a hand, arm, leg, or foot. If the skin appears black.

What are the most common causes of cellulitis?

The most common bacteria that cause cellulitis include: Staph and strep bacteria are commonly found on the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth and nose in healthy people. The infection happens when there is a break in the skin that allows the bacteria to enter.

What is the cause of redness and swelling on the skin?

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 is cellulitis caused by?

It can be caused by multiple bacteria, but this page will focus on cellulitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (also called group A Streptococcus or group A strep).

What is the color of cellulitis?

Cellulitis affects structures that are deeper than areas affected by impetigo or erysipelas. 1 As a result, the affected skin usually has a pinkish hue with a less defined border, compared to erysipelas that presents with well-demarcated borders and a bright red color. 1

What antibiotics are used for strep?

Group A strep remains susceptible to beta-lactam antibiotics. Mild cellulitis can be treated with oral antibiotics, including penicillin, cephalosporins (e.g., cephalexin), dicloxacillin, or clindamycin. If signs of systemic infection are present, then intravenous antibiotics can be considered, such as penicillin, ceftriaxone, cefazolin, or clindamycin. 7

What is the most common pathogen for cellulitis?

S. pyogenes are one of the most common causative pathogens for cellulitis. S. pyogenes are gram-positive cocci that grow in chains (see Figure 1). They exhibit β -hemolysis (complete hemolysis) when grown on blood agar plates.

How long does it take to get rid of cellulitis?

The recommended duration of antibiotic treatment for most cellulitis cases is 5 days. 7 Cases in which there has not been improvement during this time period may require longer durations of treatment. 7

How do you get group A strep?

Direct person-to-person transmission of group A strep can occur through contact with skin lesions or exposure to respiratory droplets. 3 People with active infection are more likely to transmit group A strep compared to asymptomatic carriers. Local dermatophyte infection (e.g., athlete’s foot) may serve as portal of entry for group A strep. 1.

What are the risk factors for cellulitis?

Disruption of the cutaneous barrier, such as presence of ulcers, wounds, or fungal skin infections (e.g., athlete’s foot), is a risk factor for developing cellulitis. 1,4,5 Previous history of cellulitis; venous insufficiency, presence of chronic edema, or impaired lymphatic drainage of the limbs; obesity; and injection drug use have also been identified as risk factors for cellulitis. 1,4,6

What causes cellulitis in older people?

Less common causes of cellulitis are group B streptococci (eg, S. agalactiae) in older patients with diabetes; gram-negative bacilli (eg, Haemophilus influenzae) in children; and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with diabetes or neutropenia, hot tub or spa users, and hospitalized patients.

What is cellulitis caused by?

Videos (0) Cellulitis is acute bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue most often caused by streptococci or staphylococci. Symptoms and signs are pain, warmth, rapidly spreading erythema, and edema. Fever may occur, and regional lymph nodes may enlarge in more serious infections.

Why do we need tissue culture?

Tissue culture may be required for immunocompromised patients if they are not responding to empiric therapy or if blood cultures do not isolate an organism and for patients with cellulitis at the site of certain injuries (eg, animal bite wounds, penetrating injuries).

What is the best antibiotic for cellulitis?

aureus is used. Oral therapy is usually adequate for mild infections, typically with dicloxacillin 250 mg or cephalexin 500 mg 4 times a day. Oral levofloxacin 500 mg once a day or moxifloxacin 400 mg once a day works well for patients who are unlikely to adhere to multiple daily dosing schedules; however, bacteria resistant to fluoroquinolones are becoming more prevalent. In patients allergic to penicillin, oral clindamycin 300 to 450 mg 3 times a day or an oral macrolide ( clarithromycin 250 to 500 mg 2 times a day or azithromycin 500 mg on 1st day, then 250 mg once a day) are alternatives.

What is the most common bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue?

Cellul itis. Cellulitis is acute bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue most often caused by streptococci or staphylococci. Symptoms and signs are pain, warmth, rapidly spreading erythema, and edema. Fever may occur, and regional lymph nodes may enlarge in more serious infections. Diagnosis is by appearance; cultures may help, ...

What are the symptoms of cellulitis?

Cellulitis is typically unilateral; stasis dermatitis closely mimics cellulitis but is usually bilateral. The major findings are local erythema and tenderness and, in more severe infections, often lymphangitis and regional lymphadenopathy. ...

How long does it take to take oritavancin?

These drugs should be used only for cellulitis that is complex or unresponsive to other antibiotic regimens: Oritavancin 1200 mg IV once, administered over 3 hours. Dalbavancin 1500 mg IV once, or 1000 mg IV once, then 500 mg IV 1 week after the first dose infused over 30 minutes.

What is cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a common bacterial infection of the lower dermis and subcutaneous tissue. It results in a localised area of red, painful, swollen skin, and systemic symptoms. Similar symptoms are experienced with the more superficial infection, erysipelas, so cellulitis and erysipelas are often considered together.

What causes cellulitis?

The most common bacteria causing cellulitis are Streptococcus pyogenes (two-thirds of cases) and Staphylococcus aureus (one third). Rare causes of cellulitis include:

Why does my cellulitis peel off?

Cellulitis may be associated with lymphangitis and lymphadenitis, which are due to bacteria within lymph vessels and local lymph glands. A red line tracks from the site of infection to nearby tender, swollen lymph glands. After successful treatment, the skin may flake or peel off as it heals. This can be itchy.

Why is cellulitis management so complicated?

The management of cellulitis is becoming more complicated due to rising rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and macrolide- or erythromycin -resistant Streptococcus pyogenes.

What antibiotics are used for cellulitis?

Broad-spectrum antibiotics may also include linezolid, ceftaroline, or daptomycin. Sometimes oral probenecid is added to maintain antibiotic levels in the blood. Treatment may be switched to oral antibiotics when the fever has settled, cellulitis has regressed, and CRP is reducing.

What antibiotics are used for staph infection?

Clindamycin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, doxycycline and vancomycin are used in patients with penicillin or cephalosporin allergy, or where infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is suspected. Broad-spectrum antibiotics may also include linezolid, ceftaroline, or daptomycin.

How long do you have to take antibiotics for cellulitis?

If there are no signs of systemic illness or extensive cellulitis, patients can be treated with oral antibiotics at home, for a minimum of 5–10 days. In some cases, antibiotics are continued until all signs of infection have cleared (redness, pain and swelling), sometimes for several months.

Introduction to the Dermatology Exam

Before you can make a diagnosis of any skin lesion, it's important to be able to accurately describe the skin lesion. The purpose of this page is to cover the fundamental knowledge you will need to do this.

Justin Ko

Dr. Justin Ko is a Clinical Assistant Professor, Dermatologist and Clinic Chief and Director of Medical Dermatology at Stanford.

Clinical Pearl

A good dermatology exam requires a well lit room and sometimes a hand held light. Sometimes, you may need a ruler and magnifiying glass. Remember that sometimes the palpation of skin lesions can be just as important as what you see.

Etiology

Clinical Features

Transmission

Risk Factors

Diagnosis and Testing

Treatment

• Cellulitis affects structures that are deeper than areas affected by impetigo or erysipelas.1 As a result, the affected skin usually has a pinkish hue with a less defined border, compared to erysipelas that presents with well-demarcated borders and a bright red color.1 Local signs of inflammation (warmth, erythema, and pain) are present in most cel...

See more on cdc.gov

Prognosis and Complications

Prevention

Epidemiology