How To Get Treatment For Cellulitis

I'm here today to talk to you about cellulitis.

Cellulitis is an infection of the skin. Normally it occurs in the lower legs, but it can also occur in the arms as well. Sometimes it occurs because of an infected bite, and sometimes it occurs because of a break in the skin.

So, people who are at risk of Cellulitis are diabetics, they have a reduced immune system, or any other person who has reduced immune system actually, so anemia, or iron deficiency or on medication which reduces their immune system, such as steroids. So, all those people are at risk of cellulitis just because they've got reduced immune systems, so they can't fight off any bugs that come into the skin. Also, anyone who's got dry skin, so that also includes diabetics.

They've got dry, thick skin in the feet and lower parts of the legs. That actually means that the skin barrier is weaker, so it allows usually staphylococcus, which is the bug that gets into the skin and causes infection. Staphylococcus is normally colonized in the skin surface.

It doesn't normally cause any harm. Ten to twenty pecent of people are carriers. It is just when it gets in the skin where it's not meant to be.

That's when it can cause problems. So, you do need to be careful with hygiene, keeping your hands clean, washing everyday with soap, that sort of thing. Antiseptic lotions and washes if you're at risk.

Symptoms of Cellulitis are redness, pain, hot skin to touch, swelling, very shiny skin, normally in the lower legs or the hands or arms. It can progress quite quickly in a matter of days, so you do need to see your GP, especially if you're at risk. Your GP will then give you some antibiotics, usually something called glucosicillin which is penicillin based.

If your allergic to that though they will give you something else instead. If that doesn't help, then you might need to go up to the hospital intravenous antibiotics. It is a condition whereby if you are worried about it you must see your GP as soon as possible.

I hope this has been useful, and thank you for listening to me.