Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can cause your skin to become painful, hot, and swollen. The affected area typically appears red, although this redness might be less noticeable on brown or black skin tones. In some cases, the skin may also develop blisters. It’s not just a surface issue; cellulitis affects the deeper layers of the skin and can sometimes be accompanied by more general feelings of being unwell, including flu-like symptoms and swollen, painful glands.
While cellulitis can occur on any part of the body, it’s more frequently seen on the lower limbs. However, it’s important to be aware that cellulitis can manifest in various locations, each potentially with specific characteristics.
Cellulitis can affect the hands, leading to noticeable swelling in the fingers or on the back of the hand. Recognizing these signs is crucial for prompt action.
The feet are another common site for cellulitis, sometimes occurring near the toes, especially if you have athlete’s foot. This highlights the connection between skin conditions and the risk of cellulitis.
When cellulitis develops on the legs, it typically affects the lower legs. Being vigilant about changes in this area is important for early detection.
Cellulitis around the eye is a particularly serious form. While redness in the white part of the eye might occur, it’s not always present, making diagnosis potentially more challenging and emphasizing the need for awareness of other symptoms.
How is Cellulitis Treated?
For cases of mild cellulitis that affect a small area of skin, treatment usually involves a course of antibiotic tablets prescribed by a doctor. This typically lasts for about a week. It’s important to be aware that your symptoms might initially seem to worsen within the first 48 hours of starting treatment. However, after this initial period, you should begin to see improvement.
If you don’t notice any improvement within 2 to 3 days after starting antibiotics, it’s crucial to contact your doctor again. Completing the full course of antibiotics is vital, even if you start feeling better before they are finished. This ensures the infection is fully eradicated and reduces the risk of recurrence or antibiotic resistance. Most individuals make a complete recovery from cellulitis within 7 to 10 days with appropriate antibiotic treatment.
In more severe cases of cellulitis, hospitalization might be necessary for treatment. This allows for closer monitoring and interventions such as intravenous antibiotics.
Preventing Recurrent Cellulitis
For individuals who experience cellulitis repeatedly, doctors may prescribe a low dose of antibiotics to be taken over an extended period. This preventative measure is aimed at stopping future infections from developing. Discussing this option with your doctor is important if you are prone to recurring cellulitis.
Self-Help Measures for Cellulitis
Alongside taking prescribed antibiotics, there are several things you can do at home to help speed up your recovery from cellulitis and manage your symptoms:
- Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can be effective in managing the pain associated with cellulitis. Always follow the recommended dosage.
- Elevation: When resting, try to keep the affected body part raised on a pillow or chair. This helps to reduce swelling by encouraging fluid drainage.
- Joint Movement: Regularly move the joint near the affected area, such as your wrist or ankle. This helps to prevent stiffness and maintain mobility during recovery.
- Hydration: Drinking plenty of fluids is important to prevent dehydration, which can support your body’s overall healing process.
- Avoid Compression Stockings: It’s advisable to avoid wearing compression stockings until the cellulitis has completely healed. Compression can sometimes exacerbate the condition in the acute phase.
To reduce your chances of developing cellulitis again in the future, consider these preventative measures:
- Skin Hygiene: Keep your skin clean and well-moisturized. Dry, cracked skin can provide entry points for bacteria.
- Wound Care: Clean any cuts, scrapes, or wounds thoroughly with soap and water, and apply an antiseptic cream to help prevent infection.
- Protective Measures: Wear appropriate clothing and footwear to protect your skin and minimize the risk of cuts and scrapes, especially when outdoors or doing activities that might cause skin injuries.
- Gloves: Wear gloves when gardening or doing other outdoor work to protect your hands from minor injuries and potential bacterial exposure.
Potential Complications of Cellulitis
If cellulitis is not treated promptly, there is a risk that the infection can spread beyond the skin to other parts of the body. This can include the bloodstream, muscles, and bones, leading to more serious health issues. Therefore, early recognition and treatment are crucial to prevent complications.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
It’s vital to recognize the signs that cellulitis may be becoming more serious and requires immediate medical help. Call emergency services (999 in the UK) or go to the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department immediately if you experience cellulitis along with any of the following symptoms:
- High Fever or Chills: A very high temperature (above 39°C or 102.2°F) or feeling hot and shivery can indicate a systemic infection.
- Rapid Heartbeat or Breathing: A fast heartbeat or rapid breathing rate can be signs of sepsis, a serious complication where the infection enters the bloodstream.
- Skin Discoloration: The appearance of purple patches on your skin, although this may be less visible on darker skin, can be a sign of severe infection or blood clotting issues.
- Dizziness or Fainting: Feeling dizzy or faint can indicate low blood pressure, potentially due to severe infection.
- Confusion or Disorientation: Changes in mental state, such as confusion or disorientation, are serious signs that the infection is affecting the body systemically.
- Cold, Clammy, or Pale Skin: These are signs of shock, a life-threatening condition that can occur with severe infections.
- Unresponsiveness or Loss of Consciousness: Any decrease in responsiveness or loss of consciousness is a critical emergency requiring immediate medical intervention.
These symptoms suggest serious complications that can be life-threatening. In these situations, do not attempt to drive yourself to the hospital. Ask someone else to drive you or call for an ambulance immediately. If you are going to the hospital, remember to bring any medications you are currently taking with you.
What Causes Cellulitis?
Cellulitis is typically caused by a bacterial infection. Bacteria, often streptococci or staphylococci, can enter the deeper layers of your skin through breaks in the skin’s surface. These breaks can be obvious, such as cuts, insect bites, surgical wounds, or more subtle, like cracked, dry skin or even microscopic fissures. Sometimes, the entry point for bacteria is so small it goes unnoticed.
Cellulitis is not contagious; you cannot catch it from another person. It’s an infection of the deeper skin layers and is not spread through casual contact.
Certain factors increase your risk of developing cellulitis:
- Poor Circulation: Conditions that impair circulation in your arms, legs, hands, or feet, such as being overweight or having peripheral artery disease, increase risk.
- Reduced Mobility: Difficulty moving around can also contribute to poor circulation and increase the risk of skin infections.
- Weakened Immune System: Conditions or treatments that weaken your immune system, such as chemotherapy, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, or taking immunosuppressant medications, make you more susceptible to infections like cellulitis.
- Lymphoedema: This condition, characterized by fluid build-up under the skin, can create an environment more prone to infection.
- Injecting Drugs: Intravenous drug use can create direct entry points for bacteria into the skin and bloodstream.
- Surgical Wounds: Recent surgery can create wounds that are susceptible to infection.
- History of Cellulitis: Having had cellulitis before increases your risk of recurrence, possibly due to subtle lymphatic system damage.
- Athlete’s Foot: Promptly treating athlete’s foot is important, especially for those at higher risk of cellulitis, as it can create breaks in the skin through which bacteria can enter.
Understanding what cellulitis is, recognizing its symptoms, and knowing when to seek medical help are essential for managing this common skin infection effectively and preventing potential complications.
