Cellulitis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and underlying soft tissue. It causes redness, swelling, and pain and requires prompt medical treatment.
Wissenswertes über "Cellulitis"
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and underlying soft tissue. It causes redness, swelling, and pain and requires prompt medical treatment.
What is Cellulitis?
Cellulitis is an acute bacterial infection that affects the deeper layers of the skin and the soft tissues beneath. It should not be confused with the cosmetic skin condition sometimes called cellulite. Cellulitis can occur anywhere on the body but most commonly affects the lower legs and feet.
Causes
Cellulitis develops when bacteria enter the body through a break or disruption in the skin barrier. The most common triggers include:
- Streptococcal bacteria (especially Streptococcus pyogenes) and Staphylococcal bacteria (especially Staphylococcus aureus)
- Small cuts, scrapes, wounds, or insect bites
- Chronic skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis
- Fungal infections between the toes (e.g., athlete's foot), which act as an entry point
- A weakened immune system or underlying conditions such as diabetes mellitus
- Lymphedema or chronic venous insufficiency, which impair blood and lymph circulation
Symptoms
The typical signs of cellulitis usually develop within hours to days and include:
- Noticeable redness of the affected skin area
- Swelling and a feeling of tightness in the tissue
- Warmth and tenderness of the skin
- Pain in the affected area
- In severe cases: fever, chills, and general malaise
- Enlarged lymph nodes near the site of infection
Diagnosis
Cellulitis is usually diagnosed clinically, meaning a doctor assesses the appearance and characteristics of the affected skin. Additional investigations may include:
- Blood tests and inflammatory markers (e.g., CRP, white blood cell count) to assess severity
- Wound swab to identify the causative bacteria and guide antibiotic selection
- Imaging (ultrasound or MRI) if abscess formation or deeper tissue infection is suspected
Treatment
Treatment depends on the severity of the infection:
Mild to Moderate Cellulitis
Uncomplicated cases are treated with an oral antibiotic course, typically lasting 5 to 14 days. Commonly used agents include penicillins, cephalosporins, or clindamycin. Elevation of the affected limb and cold compresses can help reduce swelling and discomfort.
Severe or Advanced Cellulitis
If the patient has a high fever, rapidly spreading infection, or a compromised immune system, hospital admission with intravenous antibiotics is necessary. If an abscess has formed, it must be surgically incised and drained.
Prevention
Good skin care, careful wound management, treatment of fungal infections, and optimal control of underlying conditions such as diabetes are key preventive measures against cellulitis.
References
- Stevens DL et al. - Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2014.
- Eron LJ et al. - Managing skin and soft tissue infections: expert panel recommendations on key decision points. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 2003.
- World Health Organization (WHO): Skin infections and their management. Geneva, 2022.
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Related search terms: Cellulitis + Celulitis + Skin cellulitis