Diagnosing and Treating Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a serious bacterial skin infection. The infection occurs in the deep layers of the skin and can affect your tissues beneath it. The infected skin looks red and swollen. Your skin will feel warm and tender. Cellulitis can show up anywhere on the skin. Adults usually get it on their lower leg while children get the bacterial infection on their faces and neck. Cellulitis occurs when there are cracks or break in your skin allowing the bacteria to enter.
Without treatment, the infection can spread quickly. The infection can travel to your lymph nodes through the bloodstream and become life-threatening. Cellulitis is a no communicable infection and does not spread from one person to another. Cellulitis around the eye socket is called periorbital cellulitis. This is an extremely serious infection and can spread to the brain if left untreated.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cellulitis can vary from person to person. Common symptoms of the infection are:-
• Redness of the skin
• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Warm skin
• Pain
• Bruising
• Blisters
• Fever
• Skin dimpling
Book a dermatologist in Mumbai if you feel you have cellulitis. Cellulitis needs to be diagnosed and treated before the infection becomes more acute. Some cases of cellulitis can be an emergency.
Contact your doctor if you have the following symptoms:-
• A large area of red and inflamed skin.
• The affected area is numb or tingling.
• The skin appears black.
• The area around the eyes or behind the ears.
• You are diabetic or have a weak immune system.
Causes
Cellulitis is a result of a bacterial infection. Most cases of cellulitis are caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (strep) or Staphylococcus aureus (staph). A strain of staph called community-acquired methicillin-resistant staphylococcal aureus, or “community-acquired MRSA” can lead to blistering of the skin and a deeper, more serious infection.
The bacteria enter your body when you injure your skin. Cuts, open sores, severe burns, surgery, ulcers or excessively dry skin can cause cracks or breaks on your skin. Other bacteria can cause cellulitis, after an animal bite, puncture wound or exposed wound. It can develop from fungal infection such as athlete’s foot.
Diagnosis
The best dermatologist in Mumbai will diagnose cellulitis after reviewing your medical history and conduct a physical examination. They may recommend blood tests at home to rule out other causes. They may take blood tests and skin samples to detect the type of bacteria.
The dermatologist near me may order imaging tests such as X-rays to determine if the infection has spread to the bone.
Treatment
The best dermatologist in Mumbai will make a treatment plan depending on your age, general health, and the severity of the infection. Getting your cellulitis treated immediately can prevent the spread of the infection. Treatment options include :
Topical, oral, or intramuscular or IV antibiotics
Pain medication
Cool, wet dressing on the infected area.
• Keeping the infected area clean and dry.
• If you have cellulitis in your leg, elevating the affected leg may reduce inflammation and help you heal faster.
• Rest and giving time for the infection to heal may help faster.
The dermatologist near me may opt for surgery if conventional medication is not working or the infection has spread.
The infection will clear up with treatment, but there are chances of cellulitis reoccurring.