What is Cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a skin infection caused by bacteria that is often characterised by pain / fever and swelling. It is a common medical condition that affects millions of people every year. Cellulitis is mostly seen in the lower limbs, but it can affect any part of your body.

Bacteria can enter your system through tiny cracks or cuts in the skin. As these microorganisms spread, they infect the local area causing cellulitis. It mostly affects the skin surface, but it can spread to the tissues underneath and eventually reach the bloodstream and lymph nodes. It can be easily treated once diagnosed, but it can be life-threatening if ignored.

What are the symptoms of Cellulitis?

Cellulitis can present itself with a variety of symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Some of them are:

• Tenderness and pain in the affected area
• Fast-growing sore or rash on the skin
• Inflammation and redness of the skin
• Red streaks
• Presence of a pus-filled abscess
• Blisters
• The affected area feels warm to the touch
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Treatment of Cellulitis

The most common treatment for mild-to-moderate cellulitis is oral antibiotics and painkillers.

This should reduce the infection and inflammation within 10 days. For serious cases of lower limb cellulitis, requires admission,intra venous antibotics and magnesium sulphate dressing doctors recommend surgery in rare serious infection. During this procedure, you will be given general anaesthesia so you will asleep and comfortable throughout. The surgeon will disinfect the affected area and make a small incision in the abscess. The pus is allowed to drain out and the wound is covered with dressing.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of lower limb cellulitis, contact your doctor immediately.