Wikipedia:VideoWiki/Cellulitis

Definition
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection involving the inner layers of the skin. 100px|left

Tissues affected
It specifically affects the dermis and subcutaneous fat. Signs and symptoms include an area of redness which increases in size over a few days. 100px|left

Symptoms
The borders of the area of redness are generally not sharp and the skin may be swollen. While the redness often turns white when pressure is applied, this is not always the case. 100px|left

Pain
The area of infection is usually painful. Lymphatic vessels may occasionally be involved, and the person may have a fever and feel tired. 100px|left

Cause
The legs and face are the most common sites involved, though cellulitis can occur on any part of the body. 100px|left

Legs
The leg is typically affected following a break in the skin. Other risk factors include obesity, leg swelling, and old age. 100px|left

Face
For facial infections, a break in the skin beforehand is not usually the case, and can be tooth related. The bacteria most commonly involved are streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus. 100px|left

Superficial infections
In contrast to cellulitis, erysipelas is a bacterial infection involving the more superficial layers of the skin, present with an area of redness with well-defined edges, and more often is associated with a fever. 100px|left

Diagnosis
Diagnosis is usually based on the presenting signs and symptoms, while cell culture is rarely possible. 100px|left

Deeper infections
Before making a diagnosis, more serious infections such as an underlying bone infection or necrotizing fasciitis should be ruled out. 100px|left

Treatment
Treatment is typically with antibiotics taken by mouth, such as cephalexin, amoxicillin or cloxacillin. 100px|left

Penicillin allergy
For those who are seriously allergic to penicillin, erythromycin or clindamycin may be used. When methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a concern, doxycycline or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole may, in addition, be recommended. 100px|left

Pus or MRSA
Concern is related to the presence of pus or previous MRSA infections. Elevating the infected area may be useful, as may pain killers. 100px|left

Complications
Potential complications include abscess formation. Around 95% of people are better after seven to ten days of treatment. 100px|left

Diabetes
Those with diabetes, however, often have worse outcomes.

Epidemiology
Cellulitis occurred in about 21.2 million people in 2015. In the United States about two of every 1,000 people per year have a case affecting the lower leg. 100px|left

Mortality
Cellulitis in 2015 resulted in about 16,900 deaths worldwide. In the United Kingdom, cellulitis was the reason for 1.6% of admissions to a hospital. 100px|left