This article is inspired by the diagnosis of this infection on my grandmother. In order to find out more about it I have researched the topic and write a will attempt to write a useful blog about it in order to raise awareness.
Before I begin, I pray for my grandma's good health and pray that she pulls through this at this tough time and she has the love of her family in the UK. ♥
Before I begin, I pray for my grandma's good health and pray that she pulls through this at this tough time and she has the love of her family in the UK. ♥
Cellulitis of the leg is classified as a skin infection on the leg, which is caused by a bacterial infection. It's an infection which affects the skin's deeper layers of tissue, dermis layer and the subcutaneous tissue (just under the skin- quite close to the bloodstream). The main bacteria involved is the Staphylococcus bacteria which also causes impetigo (a more destructive skin infection). The underlying message of this infection is that the bacteria, which may originate from contaminated water or the surrounding environment, will enter the skin through an open cut/ wound which has not been properly seen to (cleaned using disinfectant and plastered up).
Those with a greater tendency to develop Leg Cellulitis may already have:
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| Cellulitis in the leg |
Those with a greater tendency to develop Leg Cellulitis may already have:
- Breaks in the skin (open wound)
- An ulcer in the leg
- Eczema
- Previous episodes of this Cellulitis
- Surgeries (especially Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery)
Diagnosis
The first thing that a doctor would normally do would be to analyse the patient's medical records, then performing a physical examination and carrying out a blood test. However before the examination the doctor would have to rule out any other possibility of skin infection, such as eczema, which has the same symptoms of skin inflammation and to the extreme skin ulcers. The analysis of the medical are to determine whether the patient has any other disease, which may increase the risk and susceptibility of the bacteria on the patient. Other questions which could be directed at the patient could about how the open wound may have initiated and how the bacteria may have entered the open wound. The physical examination would be a thorough inspection of the open affected wound; possible symptoms may include:
- Reddening around the wound
- Swollen or Inflammation of the surrounding skin
- Irritation of the skin
- Warm (Constant flow of blood close to the open area)
- Painful
Treatment
Common treatment may include antibiotics providing that there are no other symptoms which are suggestive of the infection spreading to other areas of the body and there are no other factors which may help to increase the susceptibility of the patient to infection such as a weak immune system. In extreme cases, there will be admission of the patient to hospital to inject the antibiotics otherwise the antibiotics can be taken at home. The antibiotic that is commonly prescribed is that flucloxacilin (another form of penicillin). However the side effects of this antibiotic is slight digestive problems (diarrhoea) after consumption and if there is an allergic reaction to the above prescribed medicine, then erythromycin may be given with similar side effects which are also short term. If the infection is due to the exposure of contaminated water, then either doxycycline or ciprofloxacin* in combination with the above antibiotics in order help subdue the water based infection. Some other precautions that must be taken should be that lots of water should be taken on board and the leg should be kept elevated and raised for comfort and to reduce swelling of the infected site on the leg.
*Side effects of erythromycin
- Nausea
- Abdominal
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea (as mention)
How can cellulitis spread?
Cellulitis can spread when the infection penetrates through all the skin membranes, when the bacteria penetrates through the initial fascia, it attacks and destroys the muscle tissue causing necrosis. The bacteria can also spread through the bloodstream, where it would multiply causing a poisoning of the blood. This is the main reason how the infection may spread throughout the body as the 'poisoned' blood travels throughout the body through organs and tissue.
"Medical research has shown that 50% of individuals who receive treatment experience a recurrence (return) of cellulitis in lower leg. In this case medical adviser may prescribe antibiotics drugs for a longer period of time"
http://www.cellutitis.org/lowerlegcellutitis.html
How to stop the infection from being life -threatening?
It's not as detrimental as other bacterial infections, however it causes pain which may require the patient to take painkillers (paracetamol or ibuprofen). However prevention of cellulitis can be achieved by proper protection of the open wound and hygiene is essential, such as use of disinfectants to clean open wounds such as Dettol.
Bibliography
Once again I would like to wish everyone a Happy and Joyous New Year!
