Cellulitis overview: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
|||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
'''Cellulitis''' is | '''Cellulitis''' is the [[inflammation]] of the [[connective tissue]] underlying the [[skin]]. Cellulitis can be caused by infection by normal skin [[Flora (microbiology)|flora]] or by [[exogenous bacteria]], and often occurs in places where the skin has previously been broken: cracks in the skin, cuts, [[blister]]s, [[burn (injury)|burns]], [[insect bite]]s, surgical wounds, or sites of [[intravenous]] [[catheter]] insertion. Cellulitis results in the activation of the body's inflammatory response mechanisms. When the immune system cannot respond adequately to the stimulus, the response can spread systemically through the blood stream. The most effective therapy remains to be treatment with appropriate [[antibiotic]]s. Skin on the face or lower legs is most commonly affected by this infection, although cellulitis can occur on any part of the body. Cellulitis mainly affects the top layer of skin, but it may also affect the tissues underlying the skin. This inflammation can spread to the lymph nodes and bloodstream and then disseminate throughout the body. The most common causative microbes of cellulitis are Streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus. | ||
This condition is unrelated to [[cellulite]], a cosmetic condition featuring dimpling of the skin. | |||
==Incubation== | ==Incubation== | ||
Revision as of 15:46, 17 July 2012
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindvarjhulla, M.B.B.S.
|
Cellulitis Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Cellulitis overview On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Cellulitis overview |
Overview
Cellulitis is the inflammation of the connective tissue underlying the skin. Cellulitis can be caused by infection by normal skin flora or by exogenous bacteria, and often occurs in places where the skin has previously been broken: cracks in the skin, cuts, blisters, burns, insect bites, surgical wounds, or sites of intravenous catheter insertion. Cellulitis results in the activation of the body's inflammatory response mechanisms. When the immune system cannot respond adequately to the stimulus, the response can spread systemically through the blood stream. The most effective therapy remains to be treatment with appropriate antibiotics. Skin on the face or lower legs is most commonly affected by this infection, although cellulitis can occur on any part of the body. Cellulitis mainly affects the top layer of skin, but it may also affect the tissues underlying the skin. This inflammation can spread to the lymph nodes and bloodstream and then disseminate throughout the body. The most common causative microbes of cellulitis are Streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus.
This condition is unrelated to cellulite, a cosmetic condition featuring dimpling of the skin.
Incubation
Cellulitis can develop in as little as twenty-four hours or can take days to develop.It mainly depends on the type of bacteria involved. Bites from animals like dog or cat mostly cause infection with Pasturella multocida. It has very short incubation period of 4-24 hours.
Duration
In many cases, cellulitis takes less than a week to disappear with antibiotic therapy. However, it can take months to resolve completely in more serious cases, and can result in severe debility or even death if untreated. If it is not properly cured it may appear to improve but can resurface again even after months and years. Duration depends upon the general condition of the individual. Person with uncontrolled Diabetes, HIV and other Immunodeficiency conditions it may take long even with antibiotics.