Cellulitis
By: Laraib Sial
What is Cellulitis?
• The word literally means inflammation of the cells.
• Is known as a common spreading bacterial infection
of the lower layers of skin (dermis) and the
subcutaneous tissues (areas underneath the skin)
caused by a bacterial infection.
• The main bacteria involved are Streptococcus and
Staphylococcus. Below are pictures of this bacteria.
What are some
symptoms of
cellulitis?
• Usually begins as a small area of pain
and redness on the skin. This area
spreads to surrounding tissues,
resulting in the typical signs of
inflammation.
• Fever with chills and sweats and
swollen lymph nodes (swollen
glands)
• Swelling
• Infected areas becomes more red,
painful, and larger as time passes
and if there are red streaks
extending from original area
Where does cellulitis occur?
• Anywhere on the body
• The leg is the most common site of the infection,
particularly in the area of the tibia or shinbone
and in the foot, followed by the arm, and then
the head and neck areas.
• In unfortunate circumstances cellulitis can
develop in the abdomen or chest areas following
surgery or trauma wounds.
• People with morbid obesity can also develop
cellulitis in the abdominal skin.
Cellulitis in the eye, arm, and legs
How do you get cellulitis?
• An injury to your skin, such as a cut, surgical wound,
burn, or animal or insect bite.
• Skin problems, such as ulcers, eczema, psoriasis, or a
fungal infection like athlete's foot.
• Certain medical conditions. These include diabetes,
peripheral arterial disease, or a weak immune system.
• Fluid buildup (edema) in the legs or arms.
• Had liposuction to remove excess fat.
• Injected illegal drugs under your skin.
• Those who handle fish, meat, poultry, or soil without
using gloves.
Who is at risk for cellulitis?
• Anyone! Males and females and people of all
races are equally likely to become infected.
• Those whose immune systems are weakened
for any reason (including from chemotherapy
for cancer or other immune-suppressing
drugs) and those with diabetes are at highest
risk for developing cellulitis.
How is cellulitis treated? What
happens if not treated?
• Antibiotics are essential for the treatment of cellulitis such as penicillin
derivatives.
• If the infection is mild, you may be able to take antibiotic pills at home.
• In more severe cases, hospitalization and administration of intravenous
antibiotics may be required.
• If it’s not treated, the bacteria can spread quickly through the body and
cause sepsis, an extreme response by the body’s defense system.
• If cellulitis on the face spreads to the brain it will result in the infection of
meningitis (inflammation of the meninges-the tissues that surround the
brain or spinal cord.
• There are other risky problems such as thrombophlebitis which are
formation of blood clots.
Bibliography
• "Cellulitis: What Is Cellulitis and What Causes it?
." WebMD - Better information. Better health..
N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2010.
<http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-andtreatments/tc/cellulitis-topic-overview>.
• "Cellulitis." MedicineNet.com We bring Doctors
Knowledge to you. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Dec. 2010.
<www.medicinenet.com/cellulitis/article.htm>.