Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin. It affects the inner layers of the skin and causes severe pain, swelling, and redness. Cellulitis can occur anywhere on the body but it is most common in areas where the skin has been broken such as cuts or insect bites. The most common places for cellulitis to occur are between the fingers or toes, around the toenails or fingernails, on the face, around wounds or surgical sites, in areas of skin ulcers and cracks, and on the lower legs.
Cellulitis is caused by bacteria that enter the body through a cut, crack, or wound in the skin. Trauma to the skin may be caused by a cut from shaving, an insect bite, a scrape from falling, surgery wounds and burns. Some people with poor circulation who have recently undergone surgery may develop cellulitis because they have less blood flow to fight off infection. This makes it harder for your body to fight infection and increases your risk of cellulitis.
If you find yourself with symptoms of cellulitis such as: redness and warmth in an area of your skin; swelling; tenderness; a feeling of heat coming from your affected area; chills; fever; pain or tenderness in muscle tissue
Cellulitis is an infection of the deeper layers of the skin. It is usually caused by bacteria, but can also be caused by fungus or rarely a parasite. The bacteria that most commonly cause cellulitis are Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. These bacteria normally live on the surface of the skin without causing problems.
Cellulitis usually only affects one side of your body. It most often occurs on the lower leg. It can spread to other parts of your body if untreated or treated improperly. Cellulitis does not cause scarring at the site of infection, but it can leave you with temporary skin discoloration.
What are signs and symptoms?
The symptoms of cellulitis include:
Redness and warmth at the infected site (cellulite-red)
Swelling of the infected skin (cellulite-swelling)
Painful skin (cellulite-pain)
Fever and chills (cellulite-feverchills)
The affected area may appear redder around the edges than in the middle. The redness may be slightly raised and feel warm to touch. Symptoms may develop rapidly over 24 to 48 hours, or they may come on more slowly over several days.
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and underlying tissue, which can be caused by either Streptococcus or Staphylococcus bacteria. The most common areas affected by cellulitis are the face, lower legs, and arms.
Symptoms: redness and inflammation of the skin, warmth in the infected area, painful or tender skin, fluid-filled blisters (pustules), hardness of the infected area, chills and fever, nausea and vomiting.
Cellulitis can sometimes be treated effectively with antibiotics. A doctor will usually prescribe an antibiotic that works against both strep and staph bacteria. If symptoms don’t begin to improve within 48 hours of taking antibiotics medical attention should be sought immediately.
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and tissue underneath the skin. It is usually caused by the streptococcus or staphylococcus bacteria, and it is most commonly found on the lower legs. The affected area is usually swollen, red and tender, and can warm to the touch.
Individuals with cellulitis may also experience fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches and fatigue. Cellulitis is a serious infection that requires medical treatment. If left untreated, it can spread to the lymph nodes and bloodstream. In some cases, cellulitis can even lead to amputation or death.
The risk of developing cellulitis increases in individuals with weak immune systems or poor circulation. Diabetics are also at an increased risk of developing cellulitis due to complications from diabetes such as peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage) or poor circulation. Risk factors for cellulitis include edema (swelling), athlete’s foot, insect bites, dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), cuts and scrapes, wounds from surgery or injury and psoriasis (skin condition)
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the deeper layer of skin, the dermis, and the underlying subcutaneous tissue. It can affect people of all ages, but it is more common in older adults. It is characterized as a spreading inflammation and infection of the connective tissues and subcutaneous tissues beneath the skin. If left untreated, cellulitis can spread throughout the lymphatic system and into the bloodstream, a condition known as sepsis.
Cellulitis occurs most often on the lower legs, but it can affect other parts of the body including the face and neck. Cellulitis is most commonly caused by streptococcus or staphylococcus bacteria. Other less common causes include group A strep bacteria (streptococcus pyogenes), Haemophilus influenzae type B or pneumococcus bacteria.
Cellulitis is not contagious and cannot be passed from one person to another person. However, if you have cellulitis caused by staphylococcal bacteria, you may be able to transmit this bacteria through contact with any pus or other discharge from an open sore or wound.
Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection. It can develop anywhere on the body, but it most often affects the arms, legs and face.
When to see a doctor
If you develop signs or symptoms of cellulitis, see your primary care doctor or go to an urgent care center. If your doctor suspects the infection has spread deeper into your tissues or bloodstream, you may need to be hospitalized.
Overview
Cellulitis is a common, potentially serious bacterial skin infection. Cellulitis appears as a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender. The redness and swelling often spread rapidly.
Cellulitis most commonly affects the skin of the lower legs, but it can occur in the face, arms and other areas. Most cases of cellulitis are mild and heal within 10 days with oral antibiotics. More severe cases require hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of cellulitis include:
Swollen area of skin that feels firm and warm
Redness in the affected area
Tenderness in the affected area
Skin discoloration — ranging from pink to red to deep reddish purple — in the affected area
Blisters or pus-filled wounds on your skin (abscesses)
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin that causes red, swollen, tender areas of skin. It can occur anywhere on the body but is most common on the legs and feet. It can also affect the face, arms, hands and other parts of the body.
Cellulitis most often affects adults, but it can occur in children as well. Cellulitis is not contagious and cannot be spread from person to person.
Cellulitis may be caused by more than one type of bacteria. The most common bacteria that cause cellulitis are streptococci and staphylococci, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In addition to staph and strep, cellulitis may be caused by various types of bacteria that normally live on the skin or in the environment.