Cellulitis
develops when bacteria /fungi, move down through deep into your skin surface
into the dermis and subcutis through a damaged or broken area of skin, such as
a cut, burn or bite. Cellulitis is the affected area of skin suddenly turning
red, painful swollen and hot.
Skin:
The largest
organ of the human body and, it is made up of following three main layers.
The epidermis: The
outer surface of skin and an underlying section of cells, which the body uses
to create new skin cells
Dermis: The middle layer of skin that contains
blood vessels, sweat glands and hair follicles
Subcutis: The bottom layer of skin that consists of a
layer of fat and collagen (a tough, spongy protein), which helps protect the
body and regulate temperature
Having a
skin condition such as eczema or a fungal infection of the foot or toenails
(athlete’s foot) can cause small breaks and cracks to develop in the surface of
the skin. This makes a person more vulnerable to cellulitis.
Major risk factors:
1.
Having a
weakened immune system (the body’s natural defence against infection and
illness) as a result of health conditions such as HIV or diabetes, or as a side
effect of a treatment such as chemotherapy.
2.
Lymphedema:
A condition that causes swelling of the arms and legs, which can sometimes
occur spontaneously or may develop after surgery for some types of cancer.
3.
Intravenous
drug misuse (injecting drugs such as heroin)
Cellulitis
can have a wide range of causes, but the majority of cases are caused by a type
of bacteria called group A streptococcus, or a different type of bacteria
called staphylococcus aureus.
Having a
skin condition such as eczema or a fungal infection of the foot or toenails
(athlete’s foot) can cause small breaks and cracks to develop in the surface of
the skin. This makes a person more vulnerable to cellulitis.
Symptoms of cellulitis:
It most
often affects the legs, but can occur anywhere on the body.
See your
doctor/ seek medical help immediately if an area of skin suddenly turns red,
hot and tender. If you cannot see your doctor on the same day, you should go to
a pharmacist or minor injuries unit.
Certain
symptoms can indicate that the infection has spread from your skin to other
parts of the body, such as the blood. These include vomiting, fever, rapid breathing
and confusion or disorientation. If you experience these symptoms, call for an
ambulance OR seek urgent medical help.
Treatment:
Cellulitis
usually responds well to treatment with antibiotics if it's diagnosed and
treated promptly. Hospital admission is usually recommended for more severe
cases of cellulitis that fail to respond to antibiotic tablets.
Source: Dr. Imtiaz Syed, M.B,B.S, MBA, CRA,
PCQI, CPC
LinkedIn: http://uk.linkedin.com/pub/imtiaz-syed/13/89/841
, Email: s_mohsin786@hotmail.com
Redditch, Gloucestershire. UK
Written by Nadeem Zia
OpenDoor aims to provide Health Awareness. l OpenDoor is a platform used to Learn and Coach.
Thank you...that's really knowledgful
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