Cellulitis – Definition – Description – treatment – Symptoms – Home Treatment

Definition
Cellulitis is a spreading bacterial infection just below the skin surface. It is most commonly caused by Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus.

Description
The word ‘‘cellulitis’’ actually means ‘‘inflammation of the cells.’’ Specifically, cellulitis refers to an infection of the tissue just below the skin surface.In  humans, the skin and the tissues under the skin are the most common locations for microbial infection. Skin is the first defense against invading bacteria and other microbes. An infection can occur when this normally strong barrier is damaged due to surgery, injury, or a burn. Even something as small as a scratch or an insect bite allows bacteria to enter the skin, which may lead to an infection. Usually, the immune system kills any invading bacteria, but sometimes the bacteria are able to grow and cause an infection. Once past the skin surface, the warmth, moisture, and nutrients allow bacteria to grow rapidly. Diseasecausing bacteria release proteins called enzymes which cause tissue damage. The body’s reaction to damage is inflammation which is characterized by pain, redness, heat, and swelling. This red, painful region grows bigger
as the infection and resulting tissue damage spread. An untreated infection may spread to the lymphatic system (acute lymphangitis), the lymph nodes (lymphadenitis), the bloodstream (bacteremia), or into deeper tissues.  Cellulitis most often occurs on the face, neck, and legs.

Cellulitis causes
Cellulitis is caused by bacteria (usually strep or staph). Some people are at risk for infection by other types of bacteria. They include people with weak immune systems and those who handle fish, meat, poultry, or soil without using gloves.

Cellulitis What are the symptoms?
At first, the infected area will be warm, red, swollen, and tender. As the infection spreads, you may have a fever, chills, and swollen glands.

Cellulitis can occur anywhere on the body. In adults, it often occurs on the legs, face, or arms. In children, it is most common on the face or around the anus. An infection on the face could lead to a dangerous eye infection.
See a doctor right away if you have an infected area of skin and:
* The infected area is getting redder, more painful, or larger, or it has red streaks extending from it.
* You have a fever or chills.
* The infected area is on your face or your groin.

Cellulitis How do you get cellulitis?
There are many ways to get cellulitis. You can get it if you have:
    * 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.

Cellulitis  Cellulitis treatment
Doctors use antibiotics to treat cellulitis. If the infection is mild, you may be able to take antibiotic pills at home. If the infection is severe, you may need to be treated in the hospital with antibiotics that go right into your bloodstream.
If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, it is important to take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.

It is very important to get treatment right away for cellulitis. If it is not treated, the bacteria can spread quickly through the body and cause sepsis, an extreme response by the body’s defense system. This can be deadly. Cellulitis on the face can spread to the brain and cause a dangerous infection ( meningitis). Cellulitis can also cause other serious problems, such as blood clots in the legs ( thrombophlebitis).
You are more likely to have these problems if you are an older adult, have a medical condition such as diabetes or peripheral arterial disease, or have a weak immune system. Your chances of the cellulitis coming back may be higher too.

cellulitis how to prevent cellulitis?
If you are at risk for cellulitis, you can take steps to help prevent it.
    * Take good care of your skin. Keep it clean, and use lotion to prevent drying and cracking.
    * Check your feet and legs often. This is especially important if you have diabetes.
    * Treat any skin infection, such as athlete’s foot, right away.
    * Ask your doctor if you need to take antibiotics on a regular basis to prevent cellulitis.
    * If your doctor prescribes medicine, take it just the way your doctor says to.

Cellulitis Symptoms
Symptoms of cellulitis include tenderness, pain, swelling, and redness at the site of infection. If the infection spreads, you may have fever and chills, along with swollen lymph nodes. Sometimes, if cellulitis causes a high fever, you may have changes in mental function, such as confusion or sleepiness. Cellulitis can occur anywhere on the body, most often on the legs, face, or arms. Although the infection is not usually severe in adults, in some cases it can spread quickly, causing more intense symptoms

Cellulitis Symptoms in infants and children
In children, cellulitis often affects the face, legs, arms, or the area around the anus. Swelling and redness are often widespread and lack distinct borders.In infants, cellulitis can be serious because their immune systems cannot protect them from infection.

Cellulitis Symptoms in adults
In adults, cellulitis typically develops near a surgical site or at the site of an injury, such as a burn, a cut, or an animal bite. It usually affects the legs but can occur on other areas of the body, such as the face and ears. Pain and tenderness may be the first signs of cellulitis before visible signs of infection appear.

Cellulitis often comes back (recurs), especially if you have a weakened immune system or a condition that affects the health of your skin, such as a fungal infection or diabetes. Recurrence is also more common if you have problems with your blood circulation or with the lymphatic system, which drains fluids from your tissues. Recurring infection in the legs can cause a condition called elephantiasis, an enlargement of the skin on the legs and tissues in the legs.

Other conditions with similar symptoms (such as pain, swelling, and redness) include contact dermatitis and shingles. Symptoms of cellulitis in the eye area If cellulitis affects the eye area, you may have pain in and around the eye, restricted eye movement, and disturbances in your vision. Cellulitis affecting the eye requires urgent treatment to prevent permanent eye damage, blindness, or spread of the infection to the brain ( meningitis).

cellulitis Home Treatment
If you have cellulitis, follow your doctor's instructions about medicine and skin care. Other steps to help your recovery and keep cellulitis from coming back include the following:
    * Take all of your medication as prescribed.
    * Take care of your skin. Any measure that prevents injury to your skin will help to prevent cellulitis.
    * Elevate your affected leg or arm to reduce swelling.
    * Apply warm compresses to the affected area.
    * Use pain relievers as needed.
    * Use support stockings to prevent fluid buildup.
    * Take steps to treat or prevent fungal infections, such as athlete's foot. If athlete's foot is hard to treat or recurs, ask your doctor about oral antifungal medicines. For more information on treating this condition, see the topic Athlete's Foot.
    * Take care of your feet, especially if you have diabetes or other conditions that may increase the risk of infection.
    * Avoid touching possible sources of infection, such as ill family members and their belongings; raw fish, meat, or poultry; or soil, particularly when you have an area of broken skin.

One study found that inflammation caused by toes rubbing together (toe-web intertrigo) may be a cause of cellulitis in the leg. This study showed that treating this skin inflammation could prevent cellulitis.
When you have completed your course of medicine, follow up with your doctor to verify that the infection is gone.

Resources
gale encyclopedia of medicine

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/cellulitis-topic-overview