Cellulitis refers to an infection of the skin. It may spread to tissue just beneath the skin's surface. The infection may occur anywhere on the body. It is most common on the face or lower legs.
Cellulitis is often caused by a bacterial infection. It may come from bacteria that normally lives on the skin or bacteria from other sources. The bacterial infection may be caused by:
Factors that increase your risk for cellulitis include:
Symptoms may begin within hours or days and can include:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Expect to answer questions about how the wound occurred. Your doctor will also ask about exposure to animals or natural bodies of water. Your skin will be closely examined. The doctor may use a colored pen to mark the border of the cellulitis. This will help to monitor its progress.
Tests may include:
To check for gangrene under the skin or evidence that the infection has spread to the bone the doctor may order:
The goal is to eliminate the infection and reduce discomfort. Most cases resolve after a week or two of treatment. An infected wound can be cleaned. Dead tissue may be removed.
A collection of pus may develop. This is called an abscess. It can be drained.
Severe cellulitis, cellulitis in a person with diabetes or a person with a poor immune system, or an infection on the face may require hospital care.
Treatment includes:
Antibiotics may be taken by mouth or injected into a muscle or vein. The method will depend on the severity of the infection.
Take the entire prescription as directed. Make sure to use all the medicine given. If not taken fully, the infection may return.
This may include:
If you are diagnosed with cellulitis, follow your doctor's instructions .
To reduce your risk of getting cellulitis:
RESOURCES:
American Academy of Dermatology
http://www.aad.org/
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/
CANADIAN RESOURCE;
Canadian Dermatology Association
http://www.dermatology.ca/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/
References:
American Medical Association website. Available at: http://www.ama-assn.org/ .
Cecil Textbook of Medicine . 21st ed. WB Saunders Company; 2000.
Clinical Dermatology . 3rd ed. Mosby-Year Book, Inc.; 1996.
Conn's Current Therapy 2001 . 53rd ed. WB Saunders Company; 2001.
Griffith's 5-Minute Clinical Consult . Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins; 2001.
Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine . 14th ed. The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2000.
Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases . 5th ed. Churchill Livingstone, Inc.; 2000.
Stevens DL, Bisno AL, Chambers HF, et al. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft tissue infections. Clin Infect Dis . 2005; 41: 1373-406.
Last reviewed February 2009 by Ross Zeltser, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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