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Adult cellulitis is bacterial infection of the skin and the deeper tissues beneath the skin. It most often develops in the legs, but it can occur in any part of the body.
Cellulitis is not contagious.
Anyone with a cut, sore, insect bite, scrape, or other open wound can get cellulitis. Injuries in water or dirty areas can make someone especially vulnerable to the infection.
Additional risk factors for cellulitis include:
Some people, usually those with a weakened immune system due to illness or diabetes, can get cellulitis without a cut or sore. Elderly people and people with poor circulation, called chronic venous insufficiency, are also at higher risk of cellulitis.
Cellulitis can be caused by many different bacteria. The most common cause is infection by the Streptococcus bacteria. It can also be caused by Staphylococcus or Pasteurella multocida in the case of dog or cat bites. About 25 percent of cellulitis cases are caused by MRSA.
These bacteria enter the skin through cuts or wounds or fragile or swollen skin.
A person with cellulitis may notice symptoms in the affected area before he or she feels ill.
The most common symptoms of cellulitis are pain, tenderness, and redness in the affected area, as the body attempts to fight off the bacterial infection. Other symptoms include:
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should see your doctor immediately.
Your doctor can usually diagnose cellulitis based on your symptoms and a visual inspection of your skin. He or she may also want to take a blood or pus sample from the area to confirm the diagnosis.
If you have frequent cellulitis infections, your physician may also want to run a glucose check to see if you have diabetes. This condition could be causing the cellulitis as well as other health problems.
Adult cellulitis is usually treated with antibiotics such as dicloxacillin or cephalexin. In many cases, these can be taken by mouth.
For more serious cases of adult cellulitis, the doctor may prescribe intravenous antibiotics. This may be especially necessary for patients with high fevers. These can be administered in a hospital or the doctor's office.
Warm compresses or cool dressings can be applied to the affected are to reduce symptoms and irritation. Elevating affected areas can also help reduce swelling.
If diagnosed early, adult cellulitis can be completely treated with antibiotics, usually a 10-day course.
It is very important to take cellulitis seriously and get prompt treatment. It can quickly progress and lead to more serious conditions such as sepsis (blood infection) and necrotizing fasciitis, (flesh-eating disease). See your doctor as soon as possible if you notice any symptoms of cellulitis.
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