What is cellulitis?

Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and underlying tissue caused by streptococcal, staphylococcal, or other bacteria. This infection is serious and should receive immediate medical attention.

Cellulitis is usually worse for those who have reduced resistance to infection because of disorders such as diabetes or a weak immune system.

How does it occur?

Cellulitis most frequently occurs on the face, arms, or legs, but it can occur anywhere. Bacteria enter the body through a cut or sore. Enzymes produced by the bacteria destroy skin cells. The infection spreads over the area for about 2 days and can involve the tissues below the skin.

Your lymph glands may become swollen and tender. You may have a fever and feel ill. The infection may cause pus- filled sores (abscesses) and damage to the tissue. If left untreated, the amount of bacteria produced can reach life- threatening levels.

Orbital cellulitis, a particularly dangerous infection, usually develops when bacteria enter the soft tissue around the eye socket from the sinuses or a boil near the eye. Infected tissues swell around the eye, causing it to bulge out. There is usually redness in the eye, swollen eyelids, severe pain, and fever. Other rare complications can include a temporary loss of vision, pus coming out of the eye, and meningitis if the infection spreads to the brain.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of a cellulitis skin infection are:

• redness

• swelling

• extreme tenderness or pain

• skin that is hot to the touch

• red lines on the skin that run from the wound or sore to the lymph glands in the area.

The symptoms of orbital cellulitis include:

• swelling of the tissues

• bulging eye

• swollen eyelids

• severe pain

• reddening of the eye

• oozing pus

• temporary loss of vision

• chills

• fever

• headaches

• vomiting

• general discomfort.

How is it diagnosed?

Your doctor will examine the affected area and make a diagnosis based on the appearance of the skin. He or she may order a wound culture and blood tests.

How is it treated?

In most cases your doctor will prescribe an oral antibiotic drug that you will take for about 2 weeks. Some infections are so serious, even at the beginning, that they require antibiotic injections or hospitalization for IV antibiotics.

In rare instances, if you have sinus blockage that is causing orbital cellulitis, your doctor may recommend an operation to drain your sinuses. This procedure usually helps to prevent the condition from recurring.

If you are taking an oral medicine, your doctor will probably want to see you or talk to you 1 or 2 days after your first visit to make sure the antibiotic is working.

If your infection does not clear up or if new symptoms develop, contact your doctor.

If the cellulitis does not get better with the antibiotics prescribed by your doctor, you may need to spend some time in the hospital where you can be given intravenous (IV) antibiotics.

How long will the effects of cellulitis last?

Cellulitis may develop and spread for a period of 2 to 4 days. If treated promptly with antibiotics, the infection usually clears up within 1 or 2 weeks.

Untreated or inadequately treated cellulitis may lead to:

• bacteremia (bacteria in the bloodstream)

• septicemia (blood poisoning)

• gangrene (areas of body tissue destroyed)

• death.

How can I take care of myself?

To care for yourself, you should:

• Clean cuts, abrasions, and other skin injuries thoroughly with antiseptic soap.

• Keep wounds and sores clean and protected to promote healing.

• See your doctor for treatment as soon as possible if a wound or sore becomes infected.

• Take the whole prescription as directed if an antibiotic drug is prescribed.

What can be done to help prevent cellulitis from spreading or recurring?

Contact your doctor immediately for treatment. If an antibiotic drug is prescribed, take the whole prescription as directed.