Cellulitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection. The bacteria can infect the deeper layers of your skin if it's broken, for example, because of an insect bite or cut, or if it's cracked and dry. Sometimes the break in the skin is too small to notice.
Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the area with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.
Several factors increase the risk of cellulitis: Injury. Any cut, fracture, burn or scrape gives bacteria an entry point. Weakened immune system.
Good hygiene and skin care can help prevent cellulitis. Watch any breaks in the skin for signs of infection. Untreated cellulitis can lead to amputation, shock, and even death.
Several common conditions can mimic cellulitis, creating a potential for misdiagnosis and incorrect management. The most common disorders mistaken for lower limb cellulitis include venous eczema, lipodermatosclerosis, irritant dermatitis, and lymphedema.
Aim to avoid fast foods like burgers, Chinese, McDonalds and Ice Cream. But also be aware of margarine and highly processed fats and oils, BBQ sauces and other condiments high in sugar, unhealthy fats and salt. Say no to fizzy drinks, pasta, chocolate and white bread as these can make cellulite worse.
Although rest and elevation are essential, you must also move the joints around the affected limb, particularly your ankle if your lower leg is affected. You must also: drink plenty of clear fluids, for example water and squash.
Certain medical conditions can make it harder to treat cellulitis. This can be because of decreased blood flow to the area, a weakened immune system, or another reason. Some of these conditions include: Edema: Swelling of the lower legs, called edema, can decrease blood flow to these areas.
What can you do to help your cellulitis heal? Try to keep your foot raised higher than your hip to reduce any swelling. It is important that you help the circulation in your leg, so where possible walk a short distance every hour. If you are unable to do this try to wriggle your ankles and toes.
The potential for decreasing bacterial counts in tissue holds promise for the use of heat therapy in skin affected by cellulitis.
Cellulitis most often occurs where there is a break in the skin. If you get a scrape, cut, mild burn, or bite, wash the wound with clean water as soon as you can to help avoid infection. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing.
Pain or tenderness in the affected area. Skin redness or inflammation that gets bigger as the infection spreads. Skin sore or rash that starts suddenly, and grows quickly in the first 24 hours. Tight, glossy, stretched appearance of the skin.
In mild cases of cellulitis treated on an outpatient basis, dicloxacillin, amoxicillin, and cephalexin are all reasonable choices. Clindamycin or a macrolide (clarithromycin or azithromycin) are reasonable alternatives in patients who are allergic to penicillin.
Keep the area clean and dry — It is important to keep the infected area clean and dry. You can shower or bathe normally and pat the area dry with a clean towel. You can use a bandage or gauze to protect the skin if needed. Do not use any antibiotic ointments or creams.
Keep your skin clean and moisturized.
Keeping your skin clean washes away bacteria that cause cellulitis. Moisturizing helps prevent cracks in your skin, which can let bacteria into your body. An effective way to prevent or reduce dry skin is to apply moisturizer within three minutes of taking showers or baths.
Once cellulitis develops into sepsis or necrotizing fasciitis, the infection becomes life-threatening and requires aggressive medical intervention to stop the disease from spreading and heal the body. Don't wait to seek medical attention.
As we said, caffeine is not the culprit of your cellulite. In fact, many effective cellulite treatments use caffeine to stimulate circulation. Caffeine is also known to help tighten the skin, and when your skin gets tighter, the appearance of cellulite decreases.
At a population level, admissions to the hospital for cellulitis risk are strongly associated with warmer weather.
Group A Streptococcus (strep) and Staphylococcus aureus (staph infection) bacteria are the most common causes of cellulitis.
Discoloration (red, purple or slightly darker than your usual skin color) that may look like a rash. Fluid-filled blisters. Skin surface looks lumpy or pitted, like an orange skin.
The best antibiotic to treat cellulitis include dicloxacillin, cephalexin, trimethoprim with sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, or doxycycline antibiotics.