Cellulitis

A beta-haemolytic streptococcus. These bacteria enter broken or normal skin, and can spread easily to the tissue under the skin.

You will need antibiotics to treat the infection

Cellulitis can affect almost any part of the body. Most commonly, it occurs on the lower legs and in areas where the skin is damaged or inflamed. Anyone, at any age, can develop cellulitis.

However, you are at increased risk if you or poor circulation.

Prior to the development of antibiotics, cellulitis was fatal. With the introduction of penicillin, most people recover fully within a week. The range of symptoms can range from mild to severe, and can include: weeping or leaking of yellow clear fluid or pus.

You may also have fevers, sweats and vomiting. Cellulitis usually occurs in skin areas that have been damaged or inflamed for other reasons, including: a foreign object in the skin, such as metal or glass.

Often, it is not possible to find a cause for cellulitis. Tests may include:

• a swab – taken from the affected skin
• sent to the laboratory for testing. It can take a few days to get a result
• your doctor will be advised of the results Antibiotics are used to treat the infection

Oral antibiotics may be adequate, but in the severely ill person, intravenous antibiotics will be needed to control and prevent further spread of the infection. This treatment is given in hospital or, sometimes, at home by a local doctor or nurse. As the infection improves, you may be able to change from intravenous to oral antibiotics, which can be taken at home for a further week to 10 days.

Most people respond to antibiotics in two to three days and begin to show improvement. In rare cases, the cellulitis may progress to a serious illness by spreading to deeper tissues.

In addition to broad spectrum antibiotics, surgery is sometimes required.

Suggestions include: Get plenty of rest. This gives your body a chance to fight the infection. Raise the area of the body involved as high as possible.

This will ease the pain, help drainage and reduce swelling

Take pain-relieving medication such as paracetamol. Check the label for how much to take and how often. The pain eases once the infection starts getting better.

If you are not admitted to hospital, you will require a follow-up appointment with your doctor within a day or two to make sure the cellulitis is improving.

This appointment is important to attend

Cellulitis may arise when skin injury or inflammation is not adequately treated.

When dealing with cuts and abrasions: Clean the wound with an antiseptic. Cover the wound with a gauze dressing or a band aid.

About Cellulitis Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues (just under the skin).The most common bacteria are staphylococcus aureus (golden staph) smoke , have diabetes Symptoms of cellulitis redness of the skin warmth swelling tenderness or pain in an area of skin Complications of cellulitis The infection can spread to the rest of the body.

The lymph nodes Causes of cellulitis trauma, such as an insect bite, burn, abrasion or cut a surgical wound skin problems, such as eczema , psoriasis , scabies or acne Diagnosis of cellulitis other tests – such as blood tests and x-rays Treatment for cellulitis Self-care at home Reduce the risk of developing cellulitis Wash your hands Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Hospital emergency department.

Key Points

• Most commonly, it occurs on the lower legs and in areas where the skin is damaged or inflamed
• However, you are at increased risk if you or poor circulation
• range of symptoms can range from mild to severe, and can include: weeping or leaking of yellow clear fluid or pus
• Often, it is not possible to find a cause for cellulitis
• This treatment is given in hospital or, sometimes, at home by a local doctor or nurse