But when staph enters your body through a nick or cut in your skin, it may result in an infection. These infections are usually minor and can be treated with antibiotics. Staph can become much more serious, though — even life-threatening — if it somehow finds its way into your bloodstream, lungs, bones, joints or heart. Most staph infections on the skin are easy to treat and typically respond well to antibiotics or by draining the infected area, Dr.
Ford says. If staph moves deeper into your body, it becomes dangerous and may require a longer course of treatment — or even hospitalization. Some staph bacteria have become resistant to the antibiotics used to treat them. This is known as MRSA, which stands for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus.
Most MRSA infections are skin infections, but it can also cause more serious infections. The infected wound may require surgical or local drainage.
Bacteremia may result from ordinary activities such as vigorous toothbrushing , dental or medical procedures, or from infections When cellulitis affects the same site repeatedly, especially the leg, lymphatic vessels may be damaged, causing permanent swelling of the affected tissue. Postphlebitic syndrome is chronic venous insufficiency that results from a blood clot in the veins The fluid is predominantly water. Swelling may be widespread or confined to a single limb or part of a limb. Swelling is often in the feet and These disorders should be identified and treated to decrease the likelihood of cellulitis developing again.
Prompt treatment with antibiotics can prevent the bacterial infection from spreading rapidly and reaching the blood and internal organs. Antibiotics that are effective against both streptococci and staphylococci such as dicloxacillin or cephalexin are used.
If doctors suspect methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus MRSA infection, such as when pus is draining from under the skin or when other serious symptoms develop, treatment may include antibiotics such as trimethoprim with sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin , or doxycycline by mouth. People with rapidly spreading cellulitis, high fever, or other evidence of serious infection or who have not been helped by the drugs taken by mouth are hospitalized and given antibiotics by vein.
Also, the affected part of the body is kept immobile and elevated to help reduce swelling. Cool, wet dressings applied to the infected area may relieve discomfort. Symptoms of cellulitis usually disappear after a few days of antibiotic therapy. However, cellulitis symptoms often get worse before they get better, probably because, with the death of the bacteria, substances that cause tissue damage are released. When this release occurs, the body continues to react even though the bacteria are dead.
Antibiotics are continued for 10 days or longer even though the symptoms may disappear earlier. Abscesses Skin abscesses Folliculitis and skin abscesses are pus-filled pockets in the skin resulting from bacterial infection. Cellulitis Cellulitis Cellulitis is a spreading bacterial infection of the skin and the tissues immediately beneath the skin.
This infection is most often caused by streptococci or staphylococci. Redness, pain, and Cellulitis involving the soft tissues under the skin is generally not contagious, but it can be somewhat contagious depending on what bacteria is causing the cellulitis and whether there are any blisters, fluid, or pus oozing out, which make it easier to spread.
Cellulitis may itch a bit, but most people usually describe it as uncomfortable or slightly painful. Cellulitis in the skin most typically appears red, feels warm, and is tender to the touch. The skin may be slightly swollen and pitted like the skin of an orange. Sometimes there are blisters. The danger of cellulitis varies depending on what type of bacteria are involved, how deep the infection goes, how large the affected area is, and whether the person has any immune system disorder or other serious health problem.
Generally, a small patch of cellulitis in a healthy person is not dangerous. Cellulitis that spreads widely or deeply can be life threatening. With treatment, a small patch of cellulitis in a healthy person can resolve in 5 days or so.
The more severe the cellulitis and the more medical problems the person has, the longer it can take to resolve. Very severe cellulitis may last 2 weeks or more, even with treatment in the hospital. Cellulitis can be a staph infection. Staph and strep streptococcus Streptococcal Infections Streptococcal infections are caused by any one of several species of Streptococcus.
Yes, cellulitis can spread rapidly within the soft tissues under the skin depending on factors such as the type of bacteria causing it and the person's immune system. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
Your healthcare provider will consider your age, overall health and severity of the condition when determining the appropriate treatment for you.
Based on the physical exam, your healthcare provider may treat you in the hospital, depending on the severity of the cellulitis.
In the hospital, you may get antibiotics and fluids through an intravenous IV catheter. If skin breaks happen, keep the area clean and use an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment. Watch for signs of infection. If you have diabetes, visually check your feet for signs of skin breaks or infection.
Health Home Conditions and Diseases. Cellulitis is a deep infection of the skin caused by bacteria. It usually affects the arms and legs. It can also develop around the eyes, mouth, and anus, or on the belly. Normal skin can be affected by cellulitis, but it usually happens after some type of injury causes a skin break, including trauma or surgery.
Once the skin breaks, bacteria can enter and cause infection. What causes cellulitis? What are the symptoms of cellulitis? Each person may experience symptoms differently. Common symptoms include: Redness of the skin Swelling of the skin Tenderness Warm skin Pain Bruising Blisters Fever Headache Chills Weakness Red streaks from the original site of the cellulitis Some cases of cellulitis are an emergency.
Always talk with your healthcare provider immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms: A very large area of red, inflamed skin Fever If the area affected is causing numbness, tingling, or other changes in a hand, arm, leg, or foot If the skin appears black If the area that is red and swollen is around your eye s or behind the ear s If you have diabetes or have a weakened immune system and develop cellulitis The symptoms of cellulitis may look like other skin conditions.
How is cellulitis diagnosed? Diagnosis is usually based on a medical history and physical exam. Blood and skin samples may be taken to confirm the diagnosis and the type of bacteria that is present.
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