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Cellulite / Tissue inflammation
Cellulitis is a potentially serious bacterial infection of your skin. It appears as a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender, and it may spread rapidly. Skin on the lower legs or face is most commonly affected by this infection, though cellulitis can occur on any part of your skin. The infection may only be superficial, but it may also affect the tissues underlying your skin and can spread to your lymph nodes and bloodstream. Left untreated, the spreading bacterial infection may rapidly turn into a life-threatening condition. That's why it's important to recognize the signs and symptoms of cellulitis and to seek immediate medical attention if they occur. The changes in your skin may be accompanied by a fever. Over time, the area of redness tends to expand. Small red spots may appear on top of the reddened skin, and less commonly, small blisters may form and burst.
Cellulitis occurs when one or more types of bacteria enter through a crack or break in your skin. The two most common types of bacteria that cause cellulitis are streptococcus and staphylococcus. Although cellulitis can occur anywhere on your body, the most common location is the legs, especially near your shins and ankles. Disrupted areas of skin, such as where you've had recent surgery, cuts, puncture wounds, an ulcer, athlete's foot or dermatitis, serve as the most likely areas for bacteria to enter. Certain types of insect or spider bites also can transmit the bacteria that start the infection. Areas of dry, flaky skin also can be an entry point for bacteria, as can swollen skin.
The appearance of your skin will help your doctor make a diagnosis. Your doctor may also suggest blood tests, a wound culture or other tests to help rule out a blood clot deep in the veins of your legs. Cellulitis in the lower leg is characterized by signs and symptoms that may be similar to those of a clot occurring deep in the veins, such as warmth, pain and swelling. This reddened skin or rash may signal a deeper, more serious infection of the inner layers of skin. Once below the skin, the bacteria can spread rapidly, entering the lymph nodes and the bloodstream and spreading throughout your body. In rare cases, the infection can spread to the deep layer of tissue called the fascial lining. Flesh-eating strep, also called necrotizing fasciitis, is an example of a deep-layer infection. It represents an extreme emergency.
Your doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic to treat cellulitis. You'll likely recheck with your doctor one to two days after starting an antibiotic, and take it for about 10 days. In most cases, signs and symptoms of cellulitis disappear after a few days. If they don't clear up, if they're extensive or if you have a high fever, you may need to be hospitalized and receive antibiotics through your veins (intravenously). Usually, doctors prescribe a drug that's effective against both streptococci and staphylococci. An example is cephalexin (Keflex, Keftab). Your doctor will choose an antibiotic depending on your circumstances.
If the oral antibiotics do not work or if the patient has a high fever when he or she comes to see the doctor, intravenous (IV) antibiotics will most likely be necessary. IV antibiotics can be administered at a clinic, the hospital, or the patient’s home. The specific antibiotic prescribed will depend on the physician's assessment as to the most likely causative bacteria: usually Gram-positive organisms will be covered with an antistaphylococcal antibiotic, like flucloxacillin, and in specific situations Gram-negative organisms, anaerobic organisms, or specific species will be covered. If the infection forms an abscess, it may require surgical incision and drainage of the collected pus.
In the most serious cases, the cellulitis may spread to the bloodstream (causing septicemia) and other tissue, especially bone (causing osteomyelitis). In these cases, or where antibiotic therapy is unsuccessful, surgical debridement may be necessary. In rare cases, secondary infections such as necrotizing fasciitis, where rapid necrotization of skin, fat, and connective tissue may necessitate surgical debridement of affected areas.
External Links
Kids Health - Cellulite
Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and underlying tissues that can affect any area of the body. Not to be confused with cellulite - the cottage-cheese-like, lumpy fat often found on the hips, thighs, and buttocks, primarily of women - cellulitis begins in an area of broken skin, like a cut or scratch, allowing bacteria to invade and spread, causing inflammation, which includes pain, swelling, warmth, and redness.
eMedicine Health - Cellulite
Cellulitis can occur in almost any part of the body. Most commonly it occurs in areas that have been damaged or are inflamed for other reasons, such as inflamed lesions, contaminated cuts, and areas with poor skin condition or bad circulation.
Merck.com - Cellulite
Cellulitis may be caused by many different bacteria; the most common are those of the Streptococcus species. Streptococci spread rapidly in the skin because they produce enzymes that hinder the ability of the tissue to confine the infection. Staphylococcus bacteria can also cause cellulitis, as can many other bacteria, especially after bites by humans or animals or after injuries in water or dirt.
MedLine Plus - Cellulite
The skin normally has many types of bacteria living on it, but intact skin is an effective barrier that keeps these bacteria from entering and growing within the body. When there is a break in the skin, however, bacteria can enter the body and grow there, causing infection and inflammation. The skin tissues in the infected area become red, hot, irritated and painful.