This is a bacterial infection of the skin and its tissues. It generally occurs when the skin is exposed to an injury such as a bite or wound. If bacteria enters the open wound and are not killed by the immune system it multiplies and causes cellulitis, or an inflammation under the skin. People are more vulnerable to cellulites if their immune system is at a low ebb. If cellulites occurs in the eye (orbital cellulitis) treatment should be sought immediately. Cellulitis is not contagious.
Symptoms of cellulitis include inflammation of the skin, red swelling, painful swelling, warmness of the swelling, rapid growing of the swelling, fever, Chills, fatigue.
Cellulitis treatment may require hospitalization if it is severe enough to warrant intravenous antibiotics and close observation. At other times, treatment with oral antibiotics and close outpatient follow-up is enough. Treatment is focused on control of the infection and prevention of complications. Antibiotics are given to control infection, and analgesics may be needed to control pain.
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If left too long cellulitis can cause gangrene and/or sepsis.
Further information can be obtained from The National Centre For Biotechnology Information..
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