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What is Cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that causes an inflammation of the skin. The bacteria typically enter the skin through a lesion. The bacterium that causes the most cases of cellulitis is Staphylococcus, or 'staph.' The bacterium that causes the second most cases is Streptococcus. In young children, cellulitis may be caused by Hemophilus influenza. Someone who experiences an animal bite or scratch may get cellulitis form the Pasturella multocida bacterium. Anyone who suffers a fish bite, crab pinch, or injury while working with chickens or pigs may get cellulitis from the Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae bacterium.

Are there any conditions that might increase my risk of Cellulitis?

Patients with a weakened immune system, such as diabetics and people who take immune system suppressing drugs, are more prone to getting cellulitis. Anyone looking to decrease their risk of cellulitis should keep their immune system strong.

Is Cellulitis Contagious?

Since the cellulitis infection occurs underneath the skin, it is not contagious. The infection usually only affects the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, so if someone were to touch the outer layer of skin, the epidermis, they would not be infected.

How do I know if I have Cellulitis?

An area of skin infected with bacteria typically appears red or bumpy. The area may be hot, itchy, and tender or feel painful. Since the bacteria that cause cellulitis enter the skin through a scratch, burn, or lesion, redness around these areas is usually a sign of developing cellulitis. However, cellulitis can also develop on areas of the skin where there is no obvious skin breach. Other conditions, which do not involve bacteria, may be mistaken for cellulitis because they have similar symptoms. Statius dermatitis, for example, which is a condition that be acquired from poor leg circulation, is often mistaken for cellulitis because it can result in redness on the ankles and shins.

As the infection develops, the infection may travel through the bloodstream, and the patient may develop a fever or chills. Swollen lymph nodes are also common in advanced cases. Lymph nodes are filters that assist the immune system, and clusters of these nodes appear around the armpits, neck, chest, and groin. To do a lymph node self check, take your three middle fingers and feel each of these areas for swelling. To check your neck lymph nodes, feel around your ears, in the groove at the bottom of the skull, and the area of the neck that extends from the collarbone to the ears. To check your armpit lymph nodes, press hard into the armpit until you can feel your ribs. The check your groin lymph nodes, check in fold in between your groin and your hipbone.

How Can Cellulitis be treated?

Cellulitis is typically treated through prescription antibiotics. If the cellulitis is an advanced stage, the patient may be hospitalized so the antibiotics may be administered intravenously. Some patients who wished to avoid the unpleasant side effects of antibiotics took colloidal silver for the treatment of cellulitis, and many have testified to its effectiveness in treating the condition. Silver has many documented antibacterial properties, so it may help by destroying the bacteria that cause the inflammation.