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Causes
Staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria are the most common causes of cellulitis.
The skin normally has many types of bacteria living on it. When there is a break in the skin, however,
bacteria can enter the body and cause infection and inflammation. The skin tissues in the infected area
become red, hot, irritated, and painful.
Risk factors for cellulitis include:
Symptoms
• Fever
• Signs of infection:
o Chills, shaking
o Fatigue
o General ill feeling (malaise)
o Muscle aches, pains (myalgias)
o Warm skin, sweating
• Pain or tenderness in the area with the rash or sore
• Skin redness or inflammation that increases in size as the infection spreads
• Skin sore or rash (macule):
o Comes on suddenly
o Grows quickly in the first 24 hours
o Usually has sharp borders
• Tight, glossy, "stretched" appearance of the skin
• Warmth over the area of redness
Your health care provider may mark the edges of the redness with a pen, to see if the redness goes past
the marked border over the next several days.
Tests that may be used:
• Blood culture
• Complete blood count (CBC)
Treatment
• You are very sick (very high temperature, blood pressure problems, nausea and vomiting that
does not go away)
• You have been on antibiotics and the infection is getting worse
• Your immune system is not working well (due to cancer, HIV)
• You have an infection around your eyes
Most of the time, treatment with oral antibiotics and close follow-up is enough. Treatment is focused on
controlling the infection and preventing complications.
You may receive antibiotics to control the infection, and analgesics to control pain.
Raise the infected area higher than your heart to reduce swelling. Rest until your symptoms improve.
Outlook (Prognosis)
It is possible to be cured with 7 - 10 days of treatment. Cellulitis may be more severe in people with
chronic diseases and those who are more prone to infection because their immune system is not working
properly (immunosuppressed).
People with fungal infections of the feet may have cellulitis that keeps coming back. The cracks in the skin
offer an opening for bacteria to get inside.
Possible Complications
Prevention
Alternative Names
References
Stevens DL, Bisno AL, Chambers BF, Everett ED, Dellinger P, Goldstein EJ, et al. Infectious Diseases
Society of America. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft-tissue
infections. Clin Infect Dis. 2005;41:1373-1406.
Abrahamian FM, Talan DA, Moran GJ. Management of skin and soft-tissue infections in the emergency
department. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2008;22:89-116.