Let me start by explaining what cellulitis and how you can get it.
If you have a crack or break in your skin, even a pimple and you scratch it, you could get this deadly infection. It can be caused of two types of common bacteria, streptococcus and staphylococcus. Both of these are bad bacteria and so if this occurs you need to get help as soon as possible before it get the best of you.
I want to tell you while this is NOT a contagious disease, if you do not have an open sore or cut on your body but if you do have one of these, it can transferred to other people.
While it appears to be on the skin this is an infection that happens in the deeper layers of the skin; the subcutaneous tissue and dermis. It spreads just beneath the top layers of the skin and this makes it look like it is on top. The infected area turns fire engine red, gets hot, swollen, or even tender and in some case you will cause you to run a fever.
Although this infection is more common in the legs and face, it can also occur in many places. Wherever you have a break in the skin that the bacteria can and will do its damage. Even if you have a simple fungus infections in your hands or feet, the skin may crack and give these bacteria a chance to invade your body.
You may ask why you should be concerned. Well let me tell you that this infection can kill you in a matter of hours if you have a good case of it. I almost lost my husband about four years ago from this same thing. He stayed in the hospital for a week in isolation, before he was released, then we had to go to the infectious medicine doctor for two weeks after that every other day.
My husband has had the misfortune of having cellulitis twice in his legs. His legs often get ulcers and if they are not cleared up at once, he is prone to get this nasty infection. The worse part about cellulitis is once it occurs; you are more susceptible to getting it over again.
At the moment, we are treating his legs for cellulitis again and he is taking 2 tablets of Cipro and 8 capsules of clindamycin each day for 12 days. We have already made four trips to the doctor’s office to keep an eye on his progress. If it doesn’t clear up he may have to be hospitalized and given IV’s, but it appears we caught in time this trip and I’ve got my fingers crossed. The ulcer in his leg has drained and is healing.
Several factors for cellulitis can play a part in making you at risk including your age. As we get older your blood doesn’t flow as well through your body, so skin abrasions can occur with poor circulation. People who have swollen legs or arms from too much fluid can become victims of cellulitis as their skin often cracks. A weak immune system from any number of problems including using some antibiotics could leave you more vulnerable, with especially diabetics being at increased risk. But none of these things have to be true if you just have a small cut or pimple that is scratched.
Preventing cellulitis is important. If you have a cut or opening in your skin keep it cleaned with warm soap and water. Bandaging the spot may help also, but most important try to keep the areas of your body moist to prevent cracks. Older people sometime forget that their feet and legs need to be moisturized often too, this is a necessary precaution.
Is small red spots show up on top of your skin or blisters from and burst, go get a medical help before you too could have this terrible infection that will not go away on its own. If this goes on unchecked, that pimple or sore spot could kill you. Don’t mess with it.
Another article on Associated Content you might want to refer to for some description of this type of infection which hit the lady in the stomach, face, and wrist. http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/12945/j_tolley.html
