Burn Injury Resource Center
Predisposing factors:
- Burns (second degree and third degree burns).
- Skin diseases such as boils, eczema and psoriasis.
- Weak immune system such as in AIDS and patients using immunosuppressive drugs.
- Diabetes. (feet burns in diabetic patients)
- Old age.
- Diseases affecting the circulation of blood to the lower limbs such as varicose veins.
- I.V drug abusers.
- Varicella.
- Dense populations who share hygiene facilities and common living quarters such as nursing homes, homeless shelters and college dormitories.
Clinical features:
- The area affected is red, tender and swollen.
- Increased warmth in the affected area.
- Regional enlargement of lymph nodes may be present.
- Fever, headache, nausea and chills may be present.
- Red streaking visible in the skin proximal to the area of cellulitis may be seen.
- Abscess.
- Ulceration.
Diagnosis:
- No work up is needed in uncomplicated cellulitis and the diagnosis is based on the clinical features.
- In complicated cases, cases with generalized sepsis and when any of the predisposing factors are present, the following tests may be done: Complete blood count, Blood culture, Blood urea nitrogen and creatinine level, US and others.
Treatment:
Cellulitis is potentially serious as it spreads quickly and can lead to more serious complications. If it is not treated, the infection can spread to the blood or lymph nodes and in rare cases the infection can spread to the fascia which is the deep layer of tissue causing a disease called Necrotizing Fasciitis (flesh eating bacteria) which is a medical emergency that can lead to death. Treatment of cellulitis include:
- Rest of the affected area.
- Antibiotics: either oral or intravenous depending on the severity of cellulitis, the presence of risk factors and presence of complications.
- Pain killers.
- Debridement of the dead tissue.
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may be used in some cases.
Prevention:
Prevention is done by taking a good care of cuts, wounds and burns, if you develop signs and symptoms of cellulitis, seek medical help quickly to avoid complications. (see burn wound care at home)
This information is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice; it should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Call 911 for all medical emergencies.