Cellulitis overview
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindvarjhulla, M.B.B.S.
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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 mainly affects the top layer of skin, but it may also affect the tissues underlying the skin. Skin on the face or lower legs is most commonly affected, although cellulitis can occur on any part of the body. This inflammation can disseminate throughout the body if it spreads to the lymph nodes and bloodstream.
This condition is unrelated to cellulite, a cosmetic condition featuring dimpling of the skin.
Pathophysiology
Cellulitis results from the activation of the body's inflammatory response mechanisms in response to a bacterial infection. When the immune system cannot respond adequately at the initial infection site, the inflammatory immune response can spread systemically through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system and cause the inflammation seen in cellulitis.
Causes
The most common causative microbes of cellulitis are Streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus.
Treatment
The most effective therapy for cellulitis remains to be treatment with appropriate antibiotics.
Incubation
Cellulitis develops between 1-5 days after the initial bacterial infection. The development mainly depends on the type of bacteria involved in the infection. Bites from animals like dogs or cats mostly cause the infection by transferring the bacteria Pasturella multocida. This bacteria has a very short incubation period of about 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.