Cellulitis is a bacterial infection, and it is a non-contagious disease. If certain parts of your skin look red, swollen, warm to the touch, and painful, you can guess it is cellulitis. In addition, if you are carefree and not get treated, the infection will move towards your lymph nodes and bloodstream, leading to risk. The entry of bacteria through cracked skin is the reason for this disease, it generally targets the lower legs, but in some cases, your arms, face, and other areas are affected. Inflammation and discoloration can extend to various places. Cellulitis
- On dark skin – appear purple, dark brown, or gray
- On light skin – appear pink or red
Types of Cellulitis
We describe the types based on their infected areas. They are,
1. Breast cellulitis – arises around the breasts.
2. Facial cellulitis – develops around the cheeks, nose, and eye
3. Periorbital cellulitis – affects around the eyes
4. Perianal cellulitis – develops around the anal orifice
There are no specific areas that cellulitis will affect. Instead, it will take a tour throughout your body, but researchers summarize by analyzing most cases and predict that it infects the lower leg for adults, whereas it affects the face or neck for children.
Causes
"The strep bacteria are foremost responsible for cellulitis. Streptococcus and staphylococcus are the bacteria that cause this infection"
Skin breaks allow bacteria to enter are,
- Cuts or wounds
- Bug bites
- Surgical injury
Signs of Cellulitis
Some symptoms give you a clue that its cellulitis is,
- Affected areas appearance will be soreness or pain
- Redness or swollen
- Tight and shiny skin
- Skin rash rapid growth
- Warm sensation in the infected area
- High temperature and red streaks
- A pus-filled pustule
As below mentioned, symptoms occur without a second thought go to the hospital.
- Vomiting or nausea
- Getting chills or high fever
- Redness starts spreading
- The numb feeling when you touch the affected area
- Gradual increase in pain
Treatment
For mild cellulitis, your doctor will prescribe an oral antibiotic for 7-14 days, which will worsen the situation, but gradually improve after two days.
As you know, symptoms differ, so also the treatments. Your doctor will ask to open up about the signs that cause inconvenience, and after seeing the affected area, they will prescribe relative antibiotics. Even after improvement in treatment, a low-dose oral antibiotic is to prevent relapse.
Self-care Measures:
- Drink the enormous amount of water
- Intake of ibuprofen, a pain relief medicine
- Avert stiffness by giving movement to the affected area
- Maintaining the lifting position of the affected area helps to reduce pain and swelling
Precautions
Suppose you people want us to recommend any remedies to take at the initial stage of cellulitis. Then, it's our pleasure to give tips that you need.
- Moisturize your skin regularly.
- Stop smoking and restrain alcohol.
- When playing outdoor games, wear protective equipment
- Clip your nails weekly and give attention to feet hygiene
- Even if it is a small wound, disinfect it.
These are the basic things you need to follow to prevent cellulitis. That's all for cellulitis; please don't panic if you get any small cut or something in your body. On your busy day, allot 15 mins to take care of your body which is more than needed. By doing this, you are free from getting stress, medicines, visiting hospitals, and more importantly, no wastage of money.
