Cellulitis

February 1, 2024

3 min read

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that can cause swelling, pain, and redness in the skin. The risk of getting cellulitis increases with a weak immune system or if you have an open wound that lets the bacteria enter the skin easily.

What is cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a painful skin infection caused by bacteria that affects the middle layer of the skin. It makes the affected skin appear discolored and swollen, which feels tender and hot.

Commonly affecting the feet and legs, cellulitis can occur anywhere in the arms, face, or other body parts.

Cellulitis causes

The most common bacteria that cause cellulitis are:

Group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (strep)
Streptococcus pneumonia (strep)
Staphylococcus aureus (staph)

Cellulitis occurs when the bacteria enters the skin through a cut or tear from:

Injuries that break the skin, like cuts, puncture wounds, piercings, and tattoos
Surgery
Foreign objects in the skin
Injection drug use
Chronic skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, or athlete’s foot
Shingles or chickenpox

Other health factors that can cause cellulitis are:

Havings hands, feet, legs, and arms swollen from lymphedema and coronary artery bypass grafting
Being overweight

Cellulitis symptoms

A cellulitis infection can cause flu-like symptoms, including a high fever (> 100℉/ 38 ℃), body aches, fatigue, chills, and sweats.

Other symptoms of cellulitis may include:

Pain
Discoloration that appears as red or purple rashes, slightly darker than the skin color
Swelling of the skin (edema)
Lumpy and pitted skin surface similar to an orange skin
Tenderness
Warmth
Fluid-filled blisters
Muscle aches and joint stiffness from swelling
Nausea and vomiting
Dizziness and confusion

Complications from cellulitis

Although uncommon, complications from cellulitis can have serious infections like:

Osteomyelitis( bone infection)
Bacteremia (blood infection)
Endocarditis (swelling of the heart valves and inner chambers of the heart)
Suppurative arthritis ( bacterial infection in joints)

Cellulitis types

The types of cellulitis are based on where the infection starts, including:

Orbital cellulitis: A serious infection that starts from injury or sinus infection in the eye that may cause blindness if left untreated.
Periorbital cellulitis: Common in children, the infection occurs in the eyelid or skin around the eye.
Perianal cellulitis: Common in children under 10, the infection occurs between the anus and vulva in girls and the anus and scrotum in boys.
Facial cellulitis: Infection happens when bacteria spreads to the face from an insect bite, sinus infection, injury, infections of the ear and gums.
Breast cellulitis: Infections of the breast that are most common in people who are overweight, have large breasts, or have had radiation therapy for treating breast cancer.
Cellulitis from insect bite: Bites or stings from insects can cause bacteria to enter the skin, causing infection.

How is cellulitis diagnosed?

Doctors diagnose cellulitis based on physical exams and medical history. Blood and skin samples are tested to rule out conditions with similar symptoms.

A bacterial culture can help identify the bacteria to determine the most effective antibiotic treatment.

Cellulitis treatment

Cellulitis treatment typically involves taking antibiotics like cephalexin or dicloxacillin orally for 5 to 10 days. Pain medication is given if needed.

If you have an abscess, surgery can be done to drain the abscess or remove pus.

Keep the infected area elevated at home to reduce swelling and relieve pain.