Cellulitis causes
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Overview
Causes
Cellulitis is caused by bacteria entering the body by way of a break in the skin. This break need not be visible. Group A streptococcus and staphylococcus [1] are the most common causative agents of cellulitis. These bacteria are part of the normal flora living on the skin but they will cause infection if the skin is broken. Predisposing conditions for cellulitis include insect bites, animal bites, pruritic skin rash, recent surgery, athlete's foot, dry skin, eczema, and burns and boils. Another cause may be Hemophilus influenza, especially in cases of facial infections.[2]
The appearance of the skin will help a doctor make a diagnosis. The doctor may also suggest blood tests, a wound culture or other tests to help rule out a blood clot deep in the veins of the legs. Cellulitis in the lower leg is characterized by signs and symptoms that may be similar to those of a clot occurring deep in the veins, such as warmth, pain and swelling.
This reddened skin or rash may signal a deeper, more serious infection of the inner layers of skin. Once below the skin, the bacteria can spread rapidly, entering the lymph nodes and the bloodstream and spreading throughout the body.
In rare cases, the infection can spread to the deep layer of tissue called the fascial lining. Necrotizing fasciitis, also called by the media "flesh-eating bacteria", is an example of a deep-layer infection. It represents an extreme medical emergency.
References
- ↑ Fleisher G, Ludwig S (1980). "Cellulitis: a prospective study". Ann Emerg Med. 9 (5): 246–9. PMID 6768328.
- ↑ Fleisher G, Ludwig S, Henretig F, Ruddy R, Henry W (1981). "Cellulitis: initial management". Ann Emerg Med. 10 (7): 356–9. PMID 7018329.