Cellulitis
What is cellulitis?
Cellulitis is a deep bacterial infection of the skin. The infection usually involves the face, or the arms and legs. It may happen in normal skin, but it usually occurs after some type of trauma causes an opening in your skin. This opening can lead to an infection.
What is the cause of cellulitis?
Cellulitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection of a wound or area of skin that is no longer intact. The most common bacterial causes of cellulitis include the following:
- group A ß - hemolytic streptococcus
- Streptococcus pneumoniae
- Staphylococcus aureus
Other causes may include human or animal bites, or injuries that occur in water.
What are the symptoms of cellulitis?
The following are the most common symptoms of cellulitis. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:
- swelling of the skin
- tenderness
- warm skin
- pain
- bruising
- blisters
- fever
- headache
- chills
- feeling weak
- red streaks from the original site of the cellulitis
Some cases of cellulitis are considered an emergency. Always consult your physician immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- a very large area of red, inflamed skin
- fever
- if the area affected is causing numbness, tingling, or other changes in a hand, arm, leg, or foot
- if the skin appears black
- if the area that is red and swollen is around your eye(s) or behind the ear(s)
- if you have diabetes or have a weakened immune system and develops cellulitis
The symptoms of cellulitis may resemble other skin conditions. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
How is cellulitis diagnosed?
Diagnosis is usually based on a medical history and physical examination. Blood and skin samples may be taken to confirm the diagnosis and the type of bacteria that is present.
Treatment for cellulitis:
Specific treatment for cellulitis will be determined by your physician based on:
- your age, overall health, and medical history
- extent of the condition
- your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- expectations for the course of the condition
- your opinion or preference
Immediate treatment can help prevent the spread of cellulitis. Treatment may include:
- oral or intravenous (IV) antibiotics
- warm, wet dressings on the infection site
- surgical intervention
- if you have an extremity (arm or leg) that is affected, your physician may have you elevate the extremity and decrease the amount of activity
- rest
Based on the physical examination, your physician may treat you in the hospital, depending on the severity of the cellulitis. In the hospital, you may receive antibiotics and fluids through an intravenous (IV) catheter.
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The Dermatology Programs and Services at Rush
Dermatology specialists at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago offer comprehensive care for common and rare skin, hair and nail diseases. Offering care for people of all ages, our dermatologists are leading authorities in skin care whose expertise draws patients from all over the Midwest. The dermatology team at Rush offers safe and innovative treatments based on years of experience as well as the latest scientific research.
Click here to visit our Department of Dermatology.
Services Provided
Comprehensive dermatology services for adults and children include:
- Innovative treatments for various dermatologic conditions
such as
- Acne
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
- Psoriasis
- Vitiligo
- State-of-the-art treatments for all forms of skin cancer include:
- The CTCL Clinic provides multidisciplinary care for people with a rare type of cancer called cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). Treatments include extracorporeal photophoresis, one of the most effective treatments for patients with this disease.
- The Melanoma Surveillance Clinic provides innovative intervention and treatment strategies for melanoma, including the use of photographic surveillance to track high-risk moles over time.
- Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) Clinic provides Mohs surgery, which has the highest cure rate of any procedure for skin cancer. During Mohs surgery, the surgeon uses a microscope to remove the very last traces of cancer cells.
- The Cosmetic Dermatology Program provides:
- Antiaging therapies, such as Botox and collagen injections.
- Chemical peels and microdermabrasion to make skin smoother and improve acne, wrinkles and skin discoloration.
- Advanced laser therapy to decrease excess hair growth and reduce lines and scars.
- Varicose vein treatments, including laser therapy and sclerotherapy, which involves the injection of special solutions into the veins to reduce their appearance.
In addition to the services above, the department tests the efficacy of new treatments for different skin diseases through its Clinical Pharmacology Unit. Clinical studies are complemented by a basic science laboratory, where investigators are conducting state-of-the-art research on mast cell biology and mastocytosis.
Finding a specialist at Rush:
To find a dermatologist at Rush click here.
Or make an appointment with a doctor at Rush by calling our toll-free physician referral number:
To reach the hospital operator, call (312) 942-5000. If you have difficulty hearing, call (312) 942-2207 (TTY/TTD).
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Dermatology
Dermatology
Dermatology
Skin Infections