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Cellulitis Foot Care
Cellulitis is a growing infection of the skin that will usually begin in a small area of the skin. The Cellulitis area will usually start out small, and include tenderness swelling, and redness. As this area of tenderness begins to increase outward, a person may experience fever symptoms, sweats, chills, and swollen glands in and around the infection.
Unlike disorders like impetigo, which only affects the top most layers of skin, Cellulitis can expand to even the skin's deepest layers, the subcutaneous tissue and the dermis. Staphylococcus ("Staph Infection") is the main bacteria involved in Cellulitis. Staphylococcus is also the cause of most cases of impetigo. Other bacterium may also lead to the development of cellulites. Some cases of cellulites may occur on areas of skin trauma, where the skin has been cut or torn. Abrasions to the skin may occur from cuts and scrapes, around ulcers and from suture wounds from surgery. However, Cellulitis has been discovered around areas with no type of noticeable abrasions. In these instances, it is unknown where the bacteria causing cellulites originated. Individuals with decreased immune system functioning are more likely to develop cellulites. Some individuals particularly prone to developing Cellulitis are those with diabetes, patients living with HIV/AIDS, and those taking drugs that lower immune system functioning.
Some early signs of Cellulitis include areas on the skin with inflammation swelling, pain, redness, and warmth. Observation of an ulcer or skin abrasion may indicate a developing Cellulitis. Some examples of noninfected inflammation include patients with poor leg circulation, where the skin displays a scaly redness on the lower leg. This condition is called stasis dermatitis. Stasis Dermatitis is often misdiagnosed as Cellulitis.
The first step towards treating Cellulitis is to determine whether or not the inflammation of the skin is caused by an infection. If the cause of cellulites is a staph infection, doctors may treat the condition with antibiotics. If tests indicate that the inflammation is caused by an immune disorder, the treatment may be for cortisone steroids. Penicillin and other similar antibiotics are often effective against staph causing Cellulitis.
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Athletes Foot
