Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and the soft tissue just below the skin. The most commonly affected area is the lower limb but it can affect anywhere.
Several different bacteria can cause cellulitis, although often there is no obvious cause for the infection. The skin is the body's natural defence against infection but occasionally the defences can be breached, especially when there is a break in the skin, eg, from a small cut, an ulcer, athlete's foot or eczema. Bacteria can pass through this tiny break in the skin's barrier and then cause the cellulitis. Some people with a blockage of the lymph vessels in the leg which causes very swollen legs (lymphoedema) are more prone to cellulitis, especially if they have a break in the skin.
Athlete's foot is a very common, fungal infection of the skin which causes tiny cracks in the skin between the toes. The fungus does not pass through the crack into the skin, but bacteria can get in and cause a secondary infection of the skin which travels up the leg and causes cellulitis. As well as treating the cellulitis, it is important to treat the athlete's foot.
The affected area is red, inflamed, swollen and feels warm. The glands which drain this part of the body may swell and become very tender; this is part of the body's natural defences to prevent the infection from spreading. If you have an infection in the leg, then the glands in the groin may become tender and swollen. In addition you may feel generally 'awful' and also have a temperature.
Cellulitis can be a very mild infection but can, in rare occasions, spread throughout the body. Usually the body's own defence systems can kill off the bacteria and settle down an episode of cellulitis but occasionally if the cellulitis is spreading, then treatment by a doctor is necessary.
Most cellulitis will clear with antibiotics which can be taken by mouth. A type of Penicillin is still the most effective treatment for cellulitis, unless someone is allergic to Penicillin. Occasionally people do not respond to oral antibiotics and may need to be admitted to hospital where they would have antibiotic injections or an antibiotic drip.
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice or substituted for professional advice. Always consult your doctor with your questions and concerns.
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