How is cellulitis contracted

Other conditions can also increase the likelihood of a person getting erysipelas. These do not always affect the skin directly, and include:. Some medications can weaken the immune system and lead to erysipelas.

These medications include some cancer drugs and medication commonly used after organ transplants. Anyone can get erysipelas, but it most commonly affects infants and adults over the age of In general, a doctor will be able to diagnose erysipelas by the appearance and symptoms of the affected area.

This is because the symptoms of erysipelas tend to occur only with this particular condition. Doctors may carry out a blood test if there are any signs of systemic infection, such as bacteria in the blood bacteremia. However, the identification of bacteria is not always possible, even in a laboratory. In some cases of deep infection, a magnetic resonance imaging MRI or computed tomography CT scan is necessary.

Erysipelas is curable. It is important to start treatment as early as possible to limit the chance of further complications. Antibiotics treat erysipelas. The exact type will depend on what germ is causing the problem, but it will often contain penicillin.

It is therefore essential that anyone who is allergic to penicillin tell their doctor before starting treatment so that they can prescribe other medications, such as erythromycin or cephalexin. People with erysipelas will typically take antibiotics by mouth for between 7 and 14 days. In more severe cases, the drugs will be put directly into the skin via a drip. Steer clear of irritants: Certain cleaning products and chemicals will irritate your infection. Avoid touching anything toxic. It might have a negative effect on your infection.

Any primary-care physician will treat cellulitis. This includes general and family physicians as well as internists. They will most likely treat you on the spot. Depending on the severity of the case, however, they may refer you to a surgeon or infection specialist.

A doctor will be able to diagnose the infection. The doctor may ask if you use IV drugs. This will better help them to diagnose your condition. It is important that you give them as much information as possible in order to get the proper diagnosis. Depending on the severity, the doctor may prescribe a variety of different treatments. These treatments might include oral antibiotics or creams. Your prescription will most likely last two to three weeks.

The doctor may prescribe other medications. Some of the best antibiotics used to treat cellulitis are:. Whichever the doctor prescribes to you, it is vital that you stick to your antibiotic regimen. You should also monitor the progress of your infection and report back to your doctor if nothing improves.

In certain cases, the doctor will advise you to stay in the hospital overnight. This will allow them to monitor your infection more closely. If you have a severe fever, for example, you may want to be hospitalized. If you have any allergies to antibiotics, you may be required to stay for treatment.

The appearance of the skin will start to improve. You should start to see results within three days of treatment.

Once you contract cellulitis, you increase the chances that it will come back. However, when severely large abscesses are present, surgery may be required. A doctor will schedule an emergency surgery if an abscess needs to be removed immediately. If there is an excess of dead tissue, as well, surgical procedures may be called for. Most people carry staph bacteria on their bodies every day.

These infections develop from a number of specific circumstances. By eliminating the conditions necessary for staph to thrive, you can greatly decrease your chances of contracting an infection. Keep your skin clean: The best thing you can do to prevent tissue infections is to wash your skin regularly.

Take showers. Wash your hands. Our fingernails are a great place for infection to live, so scrub under your nails as often as possible. Protect yourself: Do what you can to avoid getting nasty cuts. Wear shoes when walking outside. Wear gloves when working with sharp objects like metal, nails, etc. If you use IV drugs for any reason, make sure to use sterilized needles. The main cause for cellulitis among IV drug users is improper needle usage.

If you scrape your knee, slice your finger or simply get a paper cut, treat it as soon as possible. Rub some antibacterial cream and cover it with a bandage to avoid allowing germs in.

You will need antibiotics to treat the infection. Cellulitis can affect almost any part of the body. Most commonly, it occurs on the lower legs and in areas where the skin is damaged or inflamed.

Anyone, at any age, can develop cellulitis. However, you are at increased risk if you smoke, have diabetes or poor circulation. Prior to the development of antibiotics, cellulitis was fatal. With the introduction of penicillin, most people recover fully within a week. Symptoms of cellulitis The range of symptoms can range from mild to severe, and can include: redness of the skin warmth swelling tenderness or pain in an area of skin weeping orleaking of yellow clear fluid or pus. Complications of cellulitis The infection can spread to the rest of the body.

The lymph nodes may swell and be noticed as a tender lump in the groin and armpit. You may also have fevers, sweats and vomiting. Causes of cellulitis Cellulitis usually occurs in skin areas that have been damaged or inflamed for other reasons, including: trauma, such as an insect bite, burn, abrasion or cut a surgical wound skin problems, such as eczema, psoriasis, scabies or acne a foreign object in the skin, such as metal or glass.

Often, it is not possible to find a cause for cellulitis. Diagnosis of cellulitis Tests may include: a swab — taken from the affected skin and sent to the laboratory for testing. It can take a few days to get a result and your doctor will be advised of the results other tests — such as blood tests and x-rays. Treatment for cellulitis Antibiotics are used to treat the infection.

They are most common in older adults. SABSI is associated with complications such as prolonged hospital stays, admission to critical care services, increased healthcare costs and death. Healthdirect Australia is not responsible for the content and advertising on the external website you are now entering.

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