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- Written By: Tricia Ellis-Christensen
- Edited By: Niki Foster
- Last Modified Date: 14 November 2011
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Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection characterized by redness, swelling, and a feeling of heat or tenderness around the affected area. It is a condition that needs prompt medical attention. Failure to treat cellulitis can result in more serious and sometimes life-threatening infections of the blood, lymph nodes, heart and skin cells.
Cellulitis most commonly occurs when a cut in the skin is not cleaned properly. The cut can be minor, such as a scrape, or major, like a surgical incision. Bacteria, often found on normal skin cells, can then invade the lower layers of the skin and infect the subcutaneous (lowest) layer of the skin. Common bacteria that cause disease are streptococcus (strep) and staphylococcus (staph).
While cuts and punctures of the skin are the most frequent means of contracting cellulitis, other conditions may also cause this infection. People who have athlete's foot, leading to dry cracked skin, are at risk. Children and adults with chicken pox can also be vulnerable, if the pocks are scratched. Second and third degree burns, in which the skin blisters and opens, can become infected. Additionally, some spiders, like the Brown Recluse, cause immediate cellulitis when they bite.
Since cellulitis spreads quickly and can lead to more serious infections, it is important to see a doctor if you suspect you have contracted it. Along with the symptoms listed above, cellulitis may also cause fever, chills and swollen glands. One may also observe red streaks around the affected area. A doctor can properly diagnose the condition and prescribe oral antibiotics like Keflex (cephalexin), usually taken for 10-14 days. The doctor will most likely want to recheck the area to be sure the symptoms are resolving.
Untreated, cellulitis can cause multiple and very serious complications. Strep cells released into the bloodstream can result in cardiac impairment, as they grow tissue in the heart muscle, a condition known as bacterial endocarditis. Infections of the lymph nodes may need to be drained. Most seriously, gangrene and flesh-eating bacteria can develop, necessitating amputation and sometimes leading to death. At the very least, untreated cellulitis will probably result in a hospital stay and intravenous antibiotics to waylay more serious infections.
Prevention of cellulitis is fairly straightforward. For those who have noticeable cuts, wound care is essential. Recommendations include washing new cuts immediately, applying a topical antibiotic ointment, and using bandages until wounds have scabbed over. In addition, one should rewash the cut daily, unless otherwise advised by a doctor, and reapply antibiotic ointment. Children should refrain from picking at old scabs and especially pocks from chicken pox. Lastly, if you suspect you have been bitten by a poisonous spider, get medical attention immediately, as skin infection is just one of the many possible dangers from such a bite.
People with diabetes have increased risk of infections in the feet. Feet should be checked for athlete's foot regularly, and care should be taken when cutting toenails, as small cuts in the feet can be vulnerable to bacteria. Those with suppressed immune systems, either from chemotherapy or from diseases like HIV and lupus, should be especially attentive to wound care.
Through vigilance and good sense in wound care, most cases of cellulitis are preventable. However, if one suspects that despite these precautions, he or she has developed an infection, the most important thing to do is to get medical help quickly, so the effects of cellulitis can be treated before complications develop.
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lara
Post 30 |
I got cellulitis for the first time when a parasitic wasp stung me. Then one month later, a scorpion stung me and I got it again, but worse. Now, if any bug stings or bites me I get it within 10 minutes and get put in the hospital. What can I do to lessen the chances of me getting cellulitis? I am scared. I live in the woods and don't want to move. Is there vitamins I could take, creams I could ware. Please, if anyone knows, write me back. |
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anon214390
Post 28 |
I had a honeybee sting me on the arm. The first day the area was red and about the size of the bottom of a coffee cup. I got up the next morning to a little more swelling and a little bigger red area. By the time I was off work, the red area had increased about twice the size and was hot to the touch. I went to the doctor, got a steroid injection and a script for steroids and she drew on my arm and said if it got any bigger, go straight to the ER. Four hours later, the red area was now three times the size and burning to touch, and the swelling reached my wrist from the elbow where sting was. I was diagnosed with cellulitis, put on iv antibiotics and given script for antibiotics. The next day, the swelling decreased tremendously and the red area was almost now back to original size post sting. If you have cellulitis, don't hesitate to go to the doctor if it isn't going away. |
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anon178934
Post 27 |
About a month and a half ago I got a sliver in the side of my foot. I removed it right away, cleaned the area with peroxide, put triple antibiotic ointment on it and covered it with a band aid. That night I woke up with a fever. the next morning my ankle was all red and swollen. I went to the doctor and was sent right to the ER. I was told that I had cellulitis, staph and strep A infections. I stayed in the hospital for two weeks. There were blisters that formed on my leg so they had to take me into surgery and debrede them. all the open spots from that are healed but my leg still swells and the redness does not seem to be going away. Will it? Just wanting to know if I am going to have to deal with the red and swelling for the rest of my life. |
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anon173136
Post 26 |
anon how long after the surgery did it take for swelling to go down in your eye? |
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anon166810
Post 25 |
I have had my first encounter with cellulitis. I have had it three days and am now on diclocellin antibiotics, ibuprofen and paracetamol. not sure how i got it but i have never seen my foot this size! I'm in thailand, so maybe an insect bite or cut then swim in seawater? No idea. I was perfectly healthy and then this flared up! I fly home tomorrow. Is it ok to fly with cellulitis? Also, how long before the itching/swelling goes down? I've been on antibiotics two days now. |
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anon146593
Post 24 |
I read that Agave is like honey too and Aztecs would mix with salt and use for skin infections. This is claimed to help staph when you look it up. Antibiotics haven't been around forever but plants have. Indians had to know their resources. So, someone try this a few times and post it! I would do it a few days even after it looks gone. Staph is a nasty thing when it has its way. I also read that in studies, white tea killed staph and strep on contact. These types of bacteria mutate and grow so quickly that our antibiotics become obsolete so quick. Funny how nature has its remedies. On the white tea, my bf had growth in mouth that burst and turned his mouth different color. He soaked a white tea bag in there and it helped a bunch. The color went away and then he got on antibiotics. He is normal now. |
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anon146477
Post 23 |
I've been reading your questions. I think the answer is stay natural. Cellulitis, if it gets bad, can become MRSA! Hospitals and doctor's offices can have this, it is contagious and is resistant to most antibiotics. People who have skin allergies will find this is their worst enemy. So, take care of your skin by decreasing the likelihood of breaking your skin. This works for me (I also have eczema and other skin allergies). This will shrink acne or bumps, hydrate skin, clear out bacteria, and reduce ingrown hair problems if you combine with exfoliating. It is, and I know it sounds crazy, a honey milk bath. 2 cups of whole milk, 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup salts, and 1/2 cup of raw honey. 20min bath lightly exfoliate with wash cloth. The lactic acid in milk will eat away dead skin and hydrate with it's fat. Baking soda just look it up. It's great. Salt has cleaning and healing properties. Last of all, honey. It is antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and makes your skin absorb more moisture. So, you leave the bath with clean super soft anti-scratch skin. I get scratched by my puppy and get no scratches on my skin now. See how this works? I had acne really bad and did this bath for those reasons but didn't realize I also had cellulitis on my forehead. For that tough spot, I let honey sit on it later for a few hours. It's natural, I dont get exposed to other types of staph (yes, there are different strains), and it's cheap compared to a doc visit. My eczema is now in check too. I really recommend this. Just look it up and read up on it. You'll see. |
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anon118634
Post 21 |
my dad got a spider bite and his kidneys are hurting and his waist and below is too. He got the spider bite on the side of his stomach. is this cellulitis? |
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anon112568
Post 20 |
I got cellulitis from a sprained ankle - no cuts nothing! walking on it must have strained it and caused the muscles to tear and cause the infection. I didn't go to the doctor until a week after spraining it. Nearly five days of rest, ice and antibiotics and it still hurts and redness seems to have got bigger. Should I go back to the doctor? or does it take longer to heal? The antibiotics I am on are Flucloxacillin 500mg and I only got seven days' worth. |
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anon112494
Post 19 |
What causes cellulitis to continue? It seems after major antibiotics it would appear gone, but not. Seriously, I only hope this (five weeks of strong antibiotics, i.v. and oral) time does it, only I am a little skeptical. |
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anon98746
Post 18 |
I've have four of these infections before under my arm. Then a doctor recommended I take once a day immune booster pills and I've been fine since. Then one day I got an in grown hair on my private area. It has gotten so big -- about two quarters wide. And it just keeps draining too much pus. And due to this health care system we have here there's nothing I can do about it but hope I drain it right. And that's to the people who abuse the medical system: I can't get any help from them either. it hurts so bad and I just don't know what to do any more. |
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anon83411
Post 17 |
My mother is 56 and diabetic and has been diagnosed with cellulitis. Can she die from it? |
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anon79105
Post 16 |
I have bright pink symmetrical (warm to the touch) areas on my lower legs with slight edema. I don't see the doctor until Friday afternoon. Should I see the doctor now instead? |
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anon78672
Post 15 |
I am in the hospital right now, with my second round of cellulitis in 11 months. Last year I was out of shape and had edema- basically prediabetic. Since then I have lost 20 lbs and work out three or four times a week. no more edema. I thought I was in the clear with this stuff. One ingrown toenail later that was not properly disinfected and boom, my leg explodes with redness and pain very fast, and oral antibiotics had no effect to stop spread past my knee. I am a virologist (not a bacteriologist) and I also have eczema. I think that people with eczema may be hypersensitive to cellulitis because we do not have normal levels of an antimicrobial peptide (this also makes us unavailable to get the smallpox vaccination, btw). Anyway, I am going to have to stop picking at my toes I suppose. Now that I know reproducibly what cellulitis feels like, it is straight to emergency for me. |
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anon77619
Post 14 |
I'm concerned. About four days ago, my wife had a small red infected area below her lower left butt cheek. We noticed that it was getting more red and it was growing in size. It became more inflamed, so we went to the hospital. The doctor made a small cut and squeezed out most of the fluid, then told her to return three days later for a check up. We did return and she saw a different doctor this time. That doctor had more concern and admitted her into the hospital for further examination. We are still waiting on more info to see what is going on. They had her on two different antibiotics, SMZ and cephalexin and today the doctor is going to take a sample and see if it is a tumor or just a severe case of cellulitis. We are waiting for something. |
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anon59530
Post 13 |
I developed a bad cellulitis infection two weeks after having my son by emergency cesarean. I believe that the doctors did not have time to make sure the area was properly cleaned or properly shaved before they did the surgery. It all happened so fast. But thankfully, I got the treatment I needed and everything turned out ok in the end. If you suspect the possibility of infection don't waste a minute! Call your doctor. |
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anon55740
Post 12 |
I would like to know if it is contagious?
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anon39328
Post 11 |
I have a 4 year old daughter who keeps getting cellulitis. She has been treated 5 times this summer for the same thing. Each time the infection is on a different part of her body, arm eye foot ect. I'm shocked by how quickly the infections show up. At night there won't be a mark on her but by the next day she'll have cellulitis. She's geting bathed daily using Hibiclens an antisptic / antimicrobial skin cleaner. Still we are dealing with the infections. Anyone have some advice on how to stop this. |
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anon37138
Post 10 |
Hi! i have developed a swelling on my right leg and it seems to be growing and spreading from the ankle to the knee. i've not been bitten by any insect nor have i been injured. What could be the cause?
I have been to various doctors and they cant seem to see the problem. |
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anon34138
Post 9 |
I developed an eye infection in my right eye. I ended up going to the eye doctor and he diagnosed me with allergies. 24 hours later, my eye became swollen shut, face was swollen, and my lymph nodes became swollen to the point it was hard like a cyst and i noticed a brown spot on my eyelid. I immediately went to another eye doctor and i ended up in the er, a day later i went back to the er because my face was swollen twice the size and i was feeling pain shooting in my face and brain. I was admitted to intensive care for 3 days with a 24 hour iv (strongest anti viral? medicine ) and was getting eye drops twice a day, blood work, shots of morphine, zanex for sleep and loritabes. I have no idea what caused it, except i think a brown recluse bite me. |
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anon33849
Post 8 |
This is interesting. I have huge what I thought was a cyst under my arm for 4 yrs. Until diagnosed by an urgent care doc...now I am facing drainage after attempting to clear up infection. Taking Keflex and Tylenol 3. The pain is ridiculous. I believe my own doctor misdiagnosed mine. |
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concernedone
Post 7 |
this site is great. I get cellulitis on a regular basis. Since I am a diabetic I am concerned about how to tell if you have had it spread to your lymph nodes and how its treated differently from just being localized. |
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anon17676
Post 6 |
If someone were to be diagnosed with cellulitis while on holiday. what would be the risks of flying? |
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Shoyen
Post 5 |
beffalucy :
Are you on antibiotics? If you have cellulitis with those symptoms, have your doctor prescribe antibiotics, if have not already done so. While you are at it, ask your doctor for an appropriate way to attend to the pain according to your condition. |
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Shoyen
Post 4 |
anon11493 :
It is possible to get cellulitis from a blister if it pops. The breaking open of the skin allows bacteria to enter, causing an infection. It depends on the person and severity of the wound to determine if you get cellulitis. However, the chances will be minimized if you wash the area thoroughly with soap and water, and apply an antibacterial or antiseptic throughout the affected area. With the issue of going black...I can't say. I have never had a blister go black on me, so it is important to consult your doctor immediately if that were to happen. |
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anon11493
Post 3 |
Can u get Cellulitis for a blister on your foot? And will it go black??? |
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beffalucy
Post 2 |
I have Cellulitis now and have had for 7 days now. I have blisters coming up on my lower right leg. Is there anyway to get rid of the pain and the water oozing from it?
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Shoyen
Post 1 |
Hello. I have had already 3 encounters with cellulitis, and with all three of them I had to be taken to the hospital. However, in all 3 cases, they have been caused by an insect bite (the most recent was a mosquito) on the lower right leg. I did not scratch the bite, but I also did not clean the affected area since it is not common to clean a mosquito bite.
I am concerned at why after only a few days after seeing a doctor (the most recent was less than 24 hours after the bite) I had to be transferred to the hospital for intravenous antibiotic treatment. The bite had grown to such a large size (about 3 to 4 inches in diameter) so quickly - even when I was on oral antibiotics. If I get bitten on other parts of my body such as my arm, the bite heals normally. It puzzles both me and my doctors why; I even saw an Infectious Disease doctor, and even she had no conclusion. After every cellulitis infection, the next one became worse, so I am a little concerned about the next encounter from it, which is why I am wondering if you know any cause for a condition such as this. Thank you for considering. |
