Predisposing factors that increase the risk of cellulitis infection

Cellulitis is a common infection that occurs when bacteria enters a portal in the skin. 

Cellulitis can affect people of all ages, it usually forms in an extremity but it can develop anywhere on the human body. 

Symptoms of cellulitis include an area of skin that is red, swollen, warm and tender.  The symptoms of cellulitis are usually only found in the affected area but an infected person can also experience a fever, chills and body tremors. If the infection spreads it may result in impaired organ function and even death.  
    
There are several predisposing factors that increase the risk of cellulitis infection

• Any condition that weakens the immune system such as diabetes,
• HIV or medication will increase the risk of infection. 
• Physical problems such as athlete’s foot or skin swelling that create openings in the skin where bacteria can enter will increase the risk of infection. 
• Recent surgery, pregnancy, obesity and alcoholism are additional factors that increase the risk of infection.  

Some clinical features that are visual indications of cellulitis infection are redness, swelling and blistering. The affected skin will also feel warm and tender. 

It is important to note that if there is no increased warmth in the affected area the skin problem is most likely not cellulitis.  Less common indications of cellulitis include abscess formation and swollen lymph glands draining the affected area. When the cellulitis is successfully treated the skin may peel off and flake as it heals.  

Cellulitis diagnosis is based on clinical features.  Rarely is there a need to investigate further when the infection is obviously a common cellulitis infection because of the usual symptoms.  If a patient is very ill, blood cultures may be of use. 

Sometimes additional investigations are needed to rule out other potential complications such as breast cancer or vein thrombosis.  

For most cases of cellulitis infection, oral antibiotics are administered by a health professional and taken for five to ten days. 

Treatment may necessitate hospital admittance for intravenous antibiotics for an infection that is spreading.  Usually treatment lasts no more than two weeks but antibiotics should be continued until all of the redness and swelling has completely vanished.  

Sometimes cellulitis infection is recurrent in certain people. 

• A person with recurrent cellulitis should never have blood tests taken from the affected limb
  
• they should treat any hand and feet fungal infections early
  
• keep their skin clean and nails trimmed
  
• avoid any skin puncture
  
• keep inflamed limbs elevated throughout rest periods to aid in blood circulation. 

If cellulitis occurs too frequently a patient may benefit from chronic suppressive antibiotic management.  

The best way to prevent cellulitis is to protect your skin from any kind of wound that will allow bacteria to enter the tissue just below the skin surface. 

Wear protective equipment when playing sports and protect your skin as much as possible in all situations. If you do get a skin wound, whether it is from an insect bite, a scrape, a bruise, or cut, you should wash the wound with warm water and soap, apply antibiotic ointment, and dress the wound with a clean bandage. 

If any area of your skin becomes red and warm you should see a doctor.  If the red area begins to spread you should see a doctor immediately because your life may be in danger.