What is infectious cellulitis?

The name ofinfectious cellulitis or bacterial cellulitis, it is a skin condition caused by bacteriaor different types of bacteria, which penetrate deep into the dermis layer, including subcutaneous cellular tissue, is inflammatory and infectious.

Cellulite usually results in the skin turning red and swellingto a very dangerous degree (depending also on the affected area) and can cause a lot of pain. The infection can, in addition to serious complications, lead to death.

Important: According to a medical study, “Infectious cellulite mostly affects patients over 60 years of age, mainly in the lower extremities.” (1)

What causes infectious cellulite?

Infectious cellulite occurs mainly by the contact of a bacterium, but apart from it has very notorious causes for this dermal condition.

1. Depressed immune system

A person’s weak immune system contributes greatly to the appearance of bacterial cellulitis, mainly because the skin barrier, which constitutes all dermal layers, is affected. This is amedium where the bacteria penetratesand spreads throughout the area. A red flag at first.

Important: According to a medical investigation “Some factors that can alter the dermal balance and favor skin infections are humidity and an increase in temperature.” (two)

2. Wounds and skin abscesses

Open wounds allow rapid and immediate passage of bacteria and even viruses. While, on the other hand, there are skin abscesses, different from a wound, which are those accumulations of pus found within the dermis, resulting in infections of the hair follicle.

Note: Abscesses cause swelling and irritation.

3. Skin diseases

There are various diseases that are related to the deterioration of the skin layers, allowing the passage of various bacteria.

Those conditions include: skin cancer, rash, butterfly skin, and impetigo. Several of them related to the lack of defenses and cells in the skin.

To be highlighted: It is known, thanks to a brief medical analysis, that “skin and soft tissue infections are one of the most prevalent infections in the pediatric population due to their ease of spread” . (3)

4. Overweight

This chronic disease can influence a lot, caused by the accumulation of fats, high cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood (high level of fat in them), which can greatly affect blood circulation and the regeneration of skin tissue, that includes people’s immune systems.

Note: Obesity can be related to diabetes in certain cases, as the main cause.

5. Peripheral vascular pathology

This condition is related to the veins and blood vessels in parts of the heart , where there is a narrowing of them, due to the accumulation of fat and reduced blood supply, especially in the legs and arms, reducing their mobility.

Note: A medical study establishes that “The prevalence of this pathology increases with age. Taking into account one of the main factors, population aging . (4) .

What are the symptoms of infectious cellulite?

Infectious cellulitis is practically easy to recognize, its signs and symptoms are key, very simple to notice at first glance, so you have to be alert to bacterial infection. The main symptoms are the following:

1. Fever, sweating and chills

The main symptoms derive from a high temperature fever , excessive sweating accompanied by chills.

Despite being common symptoms and related to other diseases, these can vary in the person and the patient’s condition , sometimes they can even be related to infections of the lymph nodes.

2. Pain and inflammation

This is the most relevant symptom, one of the most seriousand it is very common for infectious cellulitis. The area affected by the bacteria begins to become sensitive because it is in a great state of inflammation by bacteria.

Note:Any friction, touch or even exposure to the environment can be painful for the patient with cellulite. It requires full rest without causing further damage.

3. Red, hot and hard skin

This is one of the most important signs to recognize,it affects many people, the skin during the initial stages of cellulite begins to turn red, especially in a specific area. In addition to that, accompanied bypain and swelling, it begins to take on a different texture.

It begins to become hard like a scab, the most serious case, giving rise to the sensation of hives or in the form of blisters, in addition to this, this area can feel very hot unlike the skin’s ambient temperature, it can be sensitive heat.

4. Blisters and orange peel

This can be very relevant to differentiate it from other skin conditions, on the skin or specifically in the infected area, Very sensitive blisters can be generated , which if they were to explode, worsen the patient’s situation, due to pain and burning.

To highlight: Orange skin can vary from the type of infection that has been contracted by the bacteria, so red or orange skin is a warning sign about this condition, which also makes the area sensitive to touch.

5. Joint stiffness

This refers to the sensitivity on the mobility of the joints , it is mainly difficult or sometimes limited.

It occurs in relation to swelling, the latter being the main cause of joint stiffness , but beyond that, it is a consequence of vascular pathology, due to the lack of adequate blood supply.

How is infectious cellulite cured?

Infectious cellulitis, fortunately, is cured and addressed by very effective treatments. Besides it is a means to prevent cellulite. The treatment will depend on the person, the area of the body, the types of drugs and the process that will be taken.

These are the main ways to cure infectious cellulitis:

1. Antibiotic and analgesic drugs

These medical drugs seek, in large part, to alleviate the presence of symptoms, so that cellulite can be attacked safely and painlessly.

Note: Analgesics are mainly used to reduce pain, and to directly treat cellulite, antibiotics such as Clindamycin or Cephalexin are applied orally, this is for a period of approximately 10 to 12 days.

2. Immobilization and elevation of the area

These are Medicine Techniques , very famous and common in those patients with traumas or injuries, especially in the legs or feet, in certain cases apart from having cellulite, they pose the same risk.

Its procedure is usually simple, it is to stabilize the existing injury(in this case the area affected by cellulite) by means of immobilization, avoiding the mobilization of the joint. After that, elevation of the area is done in order to treat directly with medications or compresses.

3. Cold compresses

Cold compresses, with very cold ice, help to numb the infected area of the body and relieve painin that area. They can greatly reduce swelling and even if it is prolonged, they can reduce pain. You can include some cold water.

4. Skin cleansing and hydration

It is necessary to keep the skin clean at all times, apart from drinking water, daily personal hygiene must be maintained, washing with soap and water in order to eliminate toxins or other microorganisms from the environment.

Note: In addition to this, the use of suitable creams to moisturize the skinand keep it fully fresh for the treatment. This also helps prevent the spread of cellulite on the surface of the skin.

Key Conclusions

  • Infectious cellulite is a Serious condition that occurs deep within the dermis.
  • Most of the time it is mainly caused by bacteria.
  • The signs are swelling, redness and even the presence of a fever.
  • It is also usually caused by low defenses, infections or skin conditions and abscesses or open wounds.
  • It can be prevented by cleansing and moisturizing the skin.

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