Cellulitis history and symptoms

Jump to navigation Jump to search

Cellulitis Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Cellulitis from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic study of choice

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Chest X Ray

CT

MRI

Ultrasound

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Cellulitis history and symptoms On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Cellulitis history and symptoms

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Cellulitis history and symptoms

CDC on Cellulitis history and symptoms

Cellulitis history and symptoms in the news

Blogs on Cellulitis history and symptoms

Directions to Hospitals Treating Cellulitis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Cellulitis history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindvarjhulla, M.B.B.S.

Overview

Cellulitis is most often a clinical diagnosis, and local cultures do not always identify the causative organism. Blood cultures usually are positive only if the patient develops generalised sepsis. Conditions that may resemble cellulitis include deep vein thrombosis, which can be diagnosed with a compression leg ultrasound, and stasis dermatitis, which is inflammation of the skin from poor blood flow.

History & Symptoms

Person presenting with cellulitis most of the times come up with a history of injury in that particular area. It may be a neglected minor injury which might have got infected. Even it is possible it can be related to any particular event. It can be days from the injury to presentation or it can be rapidly progressing, which is an alarming sign. Co-morbid conditions are the important ones to be looked at when its rapidly progressing or with a minor injury

Symptoms are localised in the start of the infection. If it goes untreated in the begining it will be progressing and causing systemic symptoms.

  • Fever
  • Pain or tenderness in the affected area
  • Skin redness or inflammation that gets bigger as the infection spreads
  • Skin sore or rash that starts suddenly, and grows quickly in the first 24 hours
  • Tight, glossy, "stretched" appearance of the skin
  • Warm skin in the the area of redness
  • Signs of infection:
    • Chills or shaking
    • Fatigue
    • General ill feeling
    • Muscle aches and pains
  • Warm skin
  • Sweating
  • Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:
    • Hair loss at the site of infection
    • Joint stiffness caused by swelling of the tissue over the joint
    • Nausea and vomiting

References