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This article was co-written by Lydia Shedlofsky, DO. Lydia Shedlofsky is a dermatology resident who joined Affiliated Dermatpogy in July 2019 after completing a traditional rotational internship at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami, Florida. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Guilford University in Greensboro, North Carpina. After graduation, she moved to Beira, Mozambique, working as a research assistant and intern at a freelance clinic. She completed her second degree and then studied for a master’s degree in medical education and a doctorate in Osteopathy Medicine from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathy Medicine.
There are 9 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 14,573 times.
Cellulitis is a skin infection that occurs when an open wound (cut, scratch, or lesion) comes in contact with bacteria. Streptococcus and Staphylococcus are the two most common strains of bacteria that cause cellulitis. Cellulitis caused by these two bacteria is usually marked by a red, itchy, and burning rash. The rash will then spread and lead to a fever. If not treated properly, cellulitis can lead to complications such as sepsis in the bones, meningitis, or infection of the lymphatic vessels. Therefore, you need to get medical attention right away if you notice the first symptoms of cellulitis.
Steps
Receiving diagnosis
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Know your risk factors. Cellulitis is a skin infection that usually occurs on the lower legs and is caused by two strains of Streptococcus and Staphylococcus bacteria entering and spreading. There are many risk factors that make it easier for these two strains of bacteria to enter the skin. [1] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- Open wound. Cuts, burns or abrasions will break the skin and allow bacteria to enter.
- Eczema, chickenpox, shingles or peeling skin in case of very dry skin. When the outermost layer of the skin is not intact, bacteria will have a chance to enter.
- Weakened immune system. Your risk of skin infections is higher if you have HIV/AIDS, diabetes, kidney disease, or diseases that affect the immune system.
- Lymphedema, a chronic swelling of the legs or arms, causes the skin to crack and become susceptible to infection.
- Obesity is one of the risk factors for cellulitis.
- If you’ve had cellulitis in the past, you’re more likely to get it again.
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Recognize symptoms and signs. The most noticeable symptom of cellulitis is a red and itchy rash that spreads from the damaged area of skin. Widespread redness near a cut, burn, or open wound could be a sign you have cellulitis. Watch for the following symptoms:
- A red, itchy, and burning rash that then spreads and swells. Skin tends to stretch.
- Pain and tenderness around the area of infection.
- Chills, fatigue, and fever as the infection spreads.
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Confirm the diagnosis of cellulitis. You should see your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of cellulitis, even if the rash hasn’t spread too far. Without prompt treatment, cellulitis can lead to serious complications. Cellulitis can also be a sign of a deeper, more dangerous infection spreading. [2] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- Talk to your doctor about the symptoms and signs of cellulitis you notice.
- In addition to conducting a physical exam, your doctor may conduct additional tests such as a Complete Blood Test (CBC) or a blood culture.
Coping with cellulitis
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Protect those around you. MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) bacteria are becoming more common and highly contagious. [3] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source[4] X Trusted Source Centers for Disease Contrp and Prevention Go to Source As a result, you should not share personal items such as razors, towels, etc. bath, or clothes. Also, your caregiver should wear gloves before touching a cellulitis wound or anything potentially contaminated. [5] X Trusted Source Centers for Disease Contrp and Prevention Go to source
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Clean the skin with cellulitis. Wash the wound often with soap and water. You can wrap a cool, damp towel around the wound to make it more comfortable. Seeing a doctor is an important step, but cleaning the area with cellulitis will also help prevent the infection from spreading. [6] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
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Bandage. Open wounds must be protected until the skin heals. Wrap a bandage over the wound and change it every day. This helps protect the wound while the body recovers its natural immune system.
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Wash your hands often. Wash your hands often before and after touching the wound to prevent bacteria from growing in the wound or spreading through other open wounds on the body.
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Take a simple pain reliever. If the wound is swollen and painful, you can take Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen to reduce swelling and discomfort. Drink according to the allowed dose. Quit taking medicine when your doctor officially prescribes another specific medicine.
Treatment and prevention of cellulitis
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Take antibiotics. Antibiotics are the most common treatment for cellulitis. Treatment depends on the extent of the infection and your health. However, antibiotic prescriptions often include oral antibiotics to kill the bacteria. [7] X Research Source Cellulitis will subside within a few days and disappear completely within 7-10 days.
- Your doctor may recommend that you take 500 mg of Cephalexin every 6 hours. If MRSA infection is suspected, your doctor may prescribe Bactrim, Clindamycin, Doxycycline, or Minocycline. Bactrim is the most commonly prescribed medication for MRSA infections.
- Your doctor will suggest monitoring your condition for 2-3 days. If your illness goes into remission, you’ll need to take the full course of antibiotics (usually for 14 days) to ensure complete eradication of the bacteria. Do not stop taking antibiotics or skip doses to avoid reinfection.
- Your doctor will prescribe antibiotics if you are healthy and have only a skin infection. However, if the infection is deeper and accompanied by other symptoms, taking antibiotics will not be strong enough to kill the bacteria.
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Receive treatment for severe cellulitis. In severe cases, when cellulitis gets deep into the body, you are forced to be hospitalized for treatment. Antibiotics are injected into a vein to eliminate bacteria faster than oral medications. [8] X Research Sources
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Clean the wound carefully. Cellulitis usually occurs when an open wound is not properly bandaged, making it easier for bacteria to enter. The best way to prevent bacteria from entering is to clean the wound immediately after a scratch, cut or burn.
- Wash the wound with soap and water. Wash the wound daily until it is completely healed. [9] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- If the wound is large or deep, cover it with sterile gauze. Change the dressing daily until the wound heals.
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Raise your legs up. Poor circulation slows wound healing. Elevating a wound with cellulitis will help it heal faster. For example, if you have cellulitis in your lower leg, you can elevate your leg to improve blood circulation and help the wound heal faster. [10] X Trusted Source Mayo Clinic Go to Source
- Put your feet on the pillow when you sleep.
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Watch for signs of infection in the wound. Check the wound every day when the dressing is removed to make sure the wound is healing. If the wound swells, turns red, or itch, you should see a doctor. Dry wounds are also a sign of infection, so you should also see your doctor if this is the case.
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Take good care of your skin. Cellulitis can affect people with dermatological conditions, so taking good care of your skin is an important preventative measure. If your skin is sensitive or dry, or you have diabetes, eczema, or other skin conditions, use the following to protect your skin and prevent cellulitis.
- Moisturizes skin to prevent flaking. Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. [11] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source
- Protect your feet by wearing socks and boots.
- Avoid cutting the skin when trimming toenails.
- Treat athlete’s foot promptly to prevent a more serious infection. [12] X Trusted Source National Health Service (UK) Go to Source
- Treat lymphedema so that the skin does not crack.
- Avoid activities that damage your feet (eg, hiking through rocky areas, gardening, etc.).
Advice
- Recurrent cellulitis can be prevented by protecting the skin. Always clean the wound with soap and water, then cover the wound.
- Follow your doctor’s instructions when treating cellulitis. You may even need to see a specialist, such as an infectious disease doctor, if you have severe cellulitis.
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This article was co-written by Lydia Shedlofsky, DO. Lydia Shedlofsky is a dermatology resident who joined Affiliated Dermatpogy in July 2019 after completing a traditional rotational internship at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami, Florida. She holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Guilford University in Greensboro, North Carpina. After graduation, she moved to Beira, Mozambique, working as a research assistant and intern at a freelance clinic. She completed her second degree and then studied for a master’s degree in medical education and a doctorate in Osteopathy Medicine from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathy Medicine.
There are 9 references cited in this article that you can view at the bottom of the page.
This article has been viewed 14,573 times.
Cellulitis is a skin infection that occurs when an open wound (cut, scratch, or lesion) comes in contact with bacteria. Streptococcus and Staphylococcus are the two most common strains of bacteria that cause cellulitis. Cellulitis caused by these two bacteria is usually marked by a red, itchy, and burning rash. The rash will then spread and lead to a fever. If not treated properly, cellulitis can lead to complications such as sepsis in the bones, meningitis, or infection of the lymphatic vessels. Therefore, you need to get medical attention right away if you notice the first symptoms of cellulitis.
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