Health:-Cellulitis

What is cellulitis?
Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and the tissues beneath it. It
has nothing to do with the cosmetic problem cellulite.
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Cellulitis causes
Cellulitis is usually caused by bacteria, most commonly of the
streptococci or staphylococci groups, which normally live on theskin's
surface. Damage to the skin (a spot, scratch or larger wound) allows
bacteria to enter the deeper tissues and establish an infection.
However, any bacteria can cause cellulitis, and the initial damage to
the skin may be so minor as to go unnoticed. Some people are more
vulnerable to cellulitis, or more likely to get complications,
especially those with diabetes , or those whose immune system isn't
working well.
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Cellulitis symptoms
Symptoms of cellulitis include:
*. Hot, red, swollen and painful area of the skin and deeper tissues
*. Fever
*. Shivers and chills, causedby release of toxins fromthe bacteria
There may be a well-defined line where the cellulitis stops, but
thismay spread as the infection progresses. Rarely, there's oozing of
pus and fluid at the skin puncture site, but usually the infection is
more diffuse in the tissues.
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Cellulitis complications
Sometimes a cellulitis infection can be trapped by certain
'compartments' in the tissues, for example,around a muscle or
ligament, or in the 'pulp' at the tip of a finger. The pressure in
that compartment increases, cutting off the blood supply (which may
cause gangrene ) and damagingnerves. This needs urgent treatment and
decompression.
Another complication is blood poisoning or sepsis , when bacteria get
into the bloodstream. This can be rapidly fatal and needs very urgent
treatment.
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Cellulitis treatments
Fortunately, cellulitis usually responds well to antibiotics. Ideally,
the skin and wound should beswabbed to test the kind of bacteria
causing the problem, then a penicillin type of antibiotic is
usuallyneeded (or erythromycin for those who are allergic to
penicillin ).
In some cases, wound swabs or blood tests indicate a different
bacterial cause and other types of antibiotic may be needed. Sometimes
intravenous antibiotics areneeded and this may mean a stay in
hospital. A long course of treatment (usually up to two weeks but
sometimes for several months) may be necessary. If pus collects within
the affected area, an operation may be needed to drain it.
Cellulitis can be prevented by being careful about hygiene with wounds
and breaks in the skin. If you cut or scratch yourself, or break the
skin in some way, make sure the wound is cleaned and treated with an
antiseptic, then covered with a clean dressing or plaster. If the skin
around the wound becomes red and sore, get medical advice as soon as
possible.
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