Health Articles : Infections : Cellulitis
Cellulitis : Cellulitis Complications
Cuff CellulitisMany can cause a different agent infection. Athlete’s foot is an infection of the skin caused by a fungus. Cuff cellulitis is caused by a viral infection of ..... The word cellulitis exactly means inflammation of the cells. Specifically, cellulitis means an infection of the tissue just below the skin surface. In humans, the skin and the tissues under the skin are the most widespread locations for microbial infection. Skin is the first defense against occupies bacteria and other microbes. An infection can take place when this normally strong barrier is damaged due to surgery, injury, or a burn. Even something as small as a scratch or an insect bite allows bacteria to enter the skin, which might lead to an infection. Generally, the immune system kills any invading bacteria, but sometimes the bacteria are able to grow and cause an infection.
Cellulitis most normally develops on the legs but can occur anywhere. The first symptoms are redness, pain, and tenderness over an area of the skin. These symptoms are is cause of both the bacteria themselves and by the body's attempts to halt the infection. The infected skin becomes hot and somewhat swollen and may look slightly pitted, like an orange peel. Fluid-filled blisters, which might be small or large, sometimes appear on the infected skin. Erysipelas is one form of streptococcal cellulitis in which the skin is bright red and obviously swollen and the edges of the infected area are raised. The swelling takes place because the infection blocks the lymphatic vessels in the skin. Most people with cellulitis suffer only mildly ill, but some may have a fever, chills, rapid heart rate, headache, low blood pressure, and confusion.
As the infection spreads, nearby lymph nodes might become enlarged and tender. Other complications may be lymphangitis, skin abscesses, and spreads through the blood are also possible. When cellulitis affects the same site repeatedly, especially the leg, lymphatic vessels might be damaged, causing permanent swelling of the affected tissue. Persons at high risk for severe cellulitis will possibly be hospitalized for treatment and monitoring. Antibiotics may be given intravenously to patients with serious cellulitis. Complications such as deep infection, or bone or joint infections, might require surgical drainage and a longer route of antibiotic treatment. Extensive tissue destruction may need plastic surgery to repair. In cases of orbital cellulitis caused by a sinus infection, surgery may be needed to drain the sinuses.
Pediatric CellulitisThe pain in a pediatric cellulitis in an extremity is generally the presenting symptom. It is extreme and frequently out of .....
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