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Cellulitis is an infection of the skin caused by bacteria. Cellulitis is treatable, but in some people, such as those with diabetes, cellulitis can be serious and lead to gangrene and other potentially life-threatening complications it is not recognized and treated promptly.
Cellulitis forms due to a bacterial infection, most often due to bacteria, such as streptococcus or staphylococcus. These microorganisms enter the skin through a break in the skin, such as sore or cut. They begin to reproduce and make enzymes that break down skin cells.
Cellulitis often occurs on the legs. Symptoms often include swelling, redness, fever and pain that can spread over a larger area. If untreated, cellulitis can spread to the lymph nodes and blood and lead to serious, even life-threatening complications, such as bacteremia and toxic shock syndrome. For more information on complications and symptoms, refer to symptoms of cellulitis.
People at risk for cellulitis and its complications include those who have a compromised immune system due to such diseases as HIV/AIDS or combined immunodeficiencies. People who take certain medications, such as corticosteroids or chemotherapy, which suppress the body's natural immune response, are also at risk for contracting cellulitis. Other risk factors include having diabetes, cancer, animal bites, human bites, severe burns, or severe trauma.
Making a diagnosis of cellulitis begins with taking a thorough medical history, including symptoms, and completing a complete physical examination that focuses on the affected area of skin and potential areas of complications, such as the lymph nodes. Diagnosis can be made by examining the skin and assessing for typical symptoms, such as fever, pain and swelling.
A complete blood count (CBC) is a blood test may be performed. A complete blood count measures the numbers of different types of blood cells, including white blood cells (WBCs). Different types of WBCs increase in number in characteristic ways during an infectious or inflammatory process, such as a cellulitis that is spreading.
A culture and sensitivity test (C and S) may also be performed and involves taking a small sample of the affected skin and blood and growing it in the laboratory. This test determines the type of organism causing the cellulitis, if it is spreading to the blood, as well as which antibiotics would be most effective in treating it.
It is possible that a diagnosis of cellulitis can be missed or delayed because some symptoms, such as fever and headache are similar to symptoms of other diseases of conditions. For more information on misdiagnosis, refer to misdiagnosis of cellulitis.
Treatment of cellulitis varies depending on its severity and extent, and a person's medical history, age, and general health. One type cellulitis that is particularly hard to treat is caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). For more information on treatment, refer to treatment of cellulitis....more »
A diagnosis of cellulitis may be delayed because some symptoms may initially be nonspecific or mild. These include swelling, redness, and tenderness to the area where the cellulitis is forming. Other symptoms, such as headache or fever may be initially be assumed to be related to various infectious diseases or inflammatory processes, such as influenza. ...more misdiagnosis »
The following medical conditions are some of the possible
causes of Cellulitis.
There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor
about your symptoms.
See full list of 28 causes of Cellulitis
» Review Causes of Cellulitis: Causes | Symptom Checker »
Review causes of more specific types of Cellulitis:
See full list of 4 types for Cellulitis
Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Cellulitis, as listed in our database. Visit the Symptom Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.
See full list of 501 Symptom Checkers for Cellulitis
The first step in treating cellulitis is preventing it occurrence. Prevention includes maintaining good personal hygiene with frequent hand washing and washing the body with soap and water. It is important that people who are at risk for cellulitis, such as those with diabetes, take good care of their skin, protect it from injury, and seek medical care promptly ...Cellulitis Treatments
Some of the possible treatments listed in sources for treatment of Cellulitis may include:
Review further information on Cellulitis Treatments.
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Some of the comorbid or associated medical symptoms for Cellulitis may include these symptoms:
See all associated comorbid symptoms for Cellulitis
Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:
Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Cellulitis:
Read more about causes and Cellulitis deaths.
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Read more about Misdiagnosis and Cellulitis
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Other medical conditions listed in the Disease Database as possible
causes of Cellulitis as a symptom include:
See full list of 28
causes of Cellulitis
- (Source - Diseases Database)
An acute, diffuse, and suppurative inflammation of loose connective tissue, particularly the deep subcutaneous tissues, and sometimes muscle, which is most commonly seen as a result of infection of a wound, ulcer, or other skin lesions.
- (Source - Diseases Database)
An inflammation of body tissue (especially that below the skin) characterized by fever and swelling and redness and pain
- (Source - WordNet 2.1)
The list below shows some of the causes of Cellulitis mentioned in various sources:
See full list of 28 causes of Cellulitis
This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Cellulitis. Of the 28 causes of Cellulitis that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:
See the analysis of the prevalence of 28 causes of Cellulitis
The following list of conditions have 'Cellulitis' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.
Select from the following alphabetical view of conditions which include a symptom of Cellulitis or choose View All.
The following list of medical conditions have Cellulitis or similar listed as a medical complication in our database. The distinction between a symptom and complication is not always clear, and conditions mentioning this symptom as a complication may also be relevant. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.
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This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Cellulitis based
on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient:
Medical Conditions associated with Cellulitis:
Inflammatory symptoms (1736 causes), Infection-related symptoms (1293 causes)
Symptoms related to Cellulitis:
Diabetes (212 causes), Streptococcus, Staphyloccus, Antibiotics, Metronidazole cephalosporines, Insect bite, Trauma
Doctor-patient articles related to symptoms and diagnosis:
These general medical articles may be of interest:
See full list of premium articles on symptoms and diagnosis
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