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What is Foot Cellulitis?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Foot cellulitis is a type of infection observed in the skin of the foot and associated with invasion by bacteria like staph. This infection can spread, with the bacteria traveling through the lymphatic system, and it may become a very serious medical problem. It is important to treat foot cellulitis early and aggressively to prevent complications. Cleaning injuries to the foot thoroughly and monitoring the foot for early signs of infection will help prevent the development of cellulitis.

Common causes of foot cellulitis are poorly cleaned cuts and abrasions, foot surgery, and poor hygiene, especially in people with poor circulation in the feet or compromised immune systems. The infection can develop into an abscess, potentially ulcerating all the way to the bones of the feet and causing extreme pain for the patient. If the infection is not treated, it may become necessary to amputate the limb if too much tissue death occurs or flesh eating bacteria invade the site.

Swelling in the foot may be a sign of foot cellulitis.
Swelling in the foot may be a sign of foot cellulitis.

Signs of foot cellulitis include redness, swelling, pain, and heat. Patients may notice radiating streaks of redness, betraying the presence of the bacteria in the lymphatic system. Treatment involves the administration of antibiotics, aggressively cleaning the foot, and allowing the patient to rest. In some cases, surgical debridement of the foot is needed to remove dead and damaged tissue. Dressings will be applied to the foot and need to be regularly changed to keep the foot as dry and healthy as possible.

Foot cellulitis can spread with the bacteria traveling through the lymphatic system.
Foot cellulitis can spread with the bacteria traveling through the lymphatic system.

Any time the skin on the foot is broken, no matter how minor, the site should be flushed thoroughly with water and cleaned with mild soap. This will remove bacteria and other infectious organisms from the wound and reduce the risks of infection. If a cut or scrape on the foot starts to look inflamed, a doctor should be consulted for early treatment. Untreated foot cellulitis can lead to septicemia, a potentially fatal infection of the bloodstream, and may also be associated with conditions like bacterial endocarditis, where bacteria travel to the heart and invade the heart wall.

Untreated foot cellulitis may necessitate amputation.
Untreated foot cellulitis may necessitate amputation.

People with a history of foot cellulitis may experience some limping and difficulty walking in the initial stages of healing, until the swelling reduces and some of the pain resolves. People with immune and circulatory conditions who have experienced cellulitis should be very careful about foot care in the future, changing socks regularly, cleaning and drying the feet often, and checking for any signs of inflammation every day.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a TheHealthBoard researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

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    • Swelling in the foot may be a sign of foot cellulitis.
      By: arztsamui
      Swelling in the foot may be a sign of foot cellulitis.
    • Foot cellulitis can spread with the bacteria traveling through the lymphatic system.
      By: blueringmedia
      Foot cellulitis can spread with the bacteria traveling through the lymphatic system.
    • Untreated foot cellulitis may necessitate amputation.
      By: memorisz
      Untreated foot cellulitis may necessitate amputation.
    • A physician may prescribe a course of antibiotics for a patient with foot cellulitis.
      By: Alliance
      A physician may prescribe a course of antibiotics for a patient with foot cellulitis.
    • A foot surgery can lead to infection and foot cellulitis.
      By: redcarpett
      A foot surgery can lead to infection and foot cellulitis.
    • Sterile dressings should be applied to the foot if surgical debridement is necessary.
      By: Sherry Yates
      Sterile dressings should be applied to the foot if surgical debridement is necessary.
    • Monitoring the feet for early signs of infection may help prevent the development of foot cellulitis.
      By: roblan
      Monitoring the feet for early signs of infection may help prevent the development of foot cellulitis.