Love Beauty >> Love Beauty >  >> Health and Wellness >> Home Remedies

Cellulitis: Home Remedies & When to See a Doctor | [Your Brand Name]

Has your skin become tender and red? Do you also have a swollen and warm skin condition? If yes, then perhaps you are suffering from cellulitis.

Cellulitis is a very common skin disease, but if left untreated, it might be potentially fatal. Doctors generally advice antibiotics for treating cellulitis.

However, there are certain home remedies which can treat cellulitis. Want to know more about cellulitis and its home remedies? Then give this post a read!

What Is Cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection which is primarily caused by bacteria streptococcus and staphylococcus. Sometimes cellulitis might even occur due to severe antibiotic-resistant staphylococcus aureus strain. Cellulitis may occur in any part of the body. However, it is more prevalent on the legs, especially in the ankles and shin areas.

In extreme conditions, cellulitis may result in blisters, fever, elevated heart rate, headache, chills and even low blood pressure. Cellulitis affects the lymphatic vessels. Under severe circumstances, lymphatic vessels become damaged permanently.

Usually surgical sites, cuts, puncture wounds; ulcers, athlete’s foot, and dermatitis are the major entry points of bacteria. On the other hand, spider and insect bites can also transport the bacteria into the body that causes infection.

What Are The Risk Factors In Cellulitis?

The human skin normally houses many types of bacteria. If there is a break in the skin these bacteria enter into the bloodstream, causing redness, tenderness and swelling of the skin. Given below are some of the risk factors of cellulitis.

  • Wounds in the skin are one of the most common risk factors of cellulitis.
  • Surgical sites, ulcers, and dermatitis are some of the other risk factors.
  • Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications or the medications that influence the immune system.
  • Ulcers due to lifestyle diseases such as diabetes or vascular diseases.
  • History of any vascular diseases.
  • Insect bites or stings, animal bites or human bites are some other risk factors of cellulite.
  • Chronic edema, born infections and other existing skin infections like impetigo and athlete’s foot.
  • Skin damage caused by radiation treatments.
  • Other chronic skin disorders like psoriasis and eczema.

What Are The Common Indications Of Cellulitis?

Cellulitis in its initial stages may not be indicated clearly except for some redness, tenderness and swelling of the skin. As the condition progresses, the indications become more prominent, such as:

  • Apart from the redness, tenderness and swelling, the skin becomes warm in the infected area.
  • Cellulitis is typically associated with skin sore or a rash that occurs suddenly and develops very fast.
  • Pain, fever and general illness.
  • Once the infection increases, you might experience chills, fatigue, muscle aches and sweating.
  • Under extreme conditions you’ll notice joint stiffness, swelling of the tissue over the joint, nausea and vomiting.

What Are The Different Types Of Cellulitis?

1. Orbital Cellulitis:

In this type of cellulitis, the skin inside the socket of the eyes is usually affected. Any injury in the eyes or infections in the middle ear or face or teeth might be the cause of orbital cellulitis. It is treated as a medical emergency and requires hospitalization.

2. Facial Cellulitis:

It can affect people of all ages. The infection, when not treated properly may spread around the middle ear, upper respiratory tract and the lymphatic system.

3. Periorbital Cellulitis:

This type of cellulitis is more common in children and develops around the eyelids. The common symptoms of this type of cellulitis are redness inside the eye due to inflammation and fever.

4. Perianal Cellulitis:

In this type of cellulitis, the anal region is affected. It is quite common in children. Children with this type of cellulitis often complain about painful bowels, bloody stools, itching and tenderness in anal.

5. Breast Cellulitis:

This type of cellulitis affects the skin on breast. It is more prevalent in the women suffering from breast cancer or those who have a history of lumpectomy.

What Are The Various Treatment Options Available For Cellulitis?

Regular Treatment

Cellulitis is a kind of skin infection that definitely calls for medical attention. It is very necessary to adhere to doctor’s advice and take prescribed medications regularly. The treatment for cellulitis is primarily focused on its prevention. Since it is a bacterial infection, enough care should be taken, so that the bacteria do not enter inside the body through any open wound in the skin. This indicates that any open wound in the skin should be cleaned properly with a topical antibiotic. This will prevent the spread of bacteria and also hinders the occurrence of cellulitis.

The most common treatment for cellulitis is administration of antibiotics such as cephalexin along with over the counter pain reliever, and paracetamol, to get relief from associated fever and pain. For people having poor blood circulation such as in the case of diabetes or vascular disorders, more care is needed with regard to the skin. Regular use of moisturizer and prompt action against open wounds or sores by cleaning, bandaging and applying topical antibiotics are must.

PREV POST PAGE 1 2NEXT