![]() Some of these conditions include:Įdema: Swelling of the lower legs can decrease blood flow to these areas. This can be because of decreased blood flow to the area, a weakened immune system, or another reason. Have been in close contact with someone with MRSA (like a family member)Ĥ) You have other medical conditions that put you at increased risk of complicationsĬertain medical conditions can make it harder to treat cellulitis. Share a locker room with others, like athletes You are at higher risk of having cellulitis from MRSA if you: But it can be hard to know if this bacteria is the one causing your infection. This type of cellulitis is resistant to some antibiotics. You may also be wondering about the methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. This might mean that the object needs to be removed (if it is still under the skin) and needs a different type of antibiotic. And often, these objects are dirty and lined with bacteria. So if you got a cut while underwater, or you exposed the cut to water right after it happened, a bacteria from the water may be the culprit.įoreign body: Sometimes, cellulitis starts with an injury from an object, such as a splinter. Water exposure: Lakes, rivers, pools, and hot tubs contain different types of bacteria. So cellulitis that starts with a bite needs a different antibiotic. (Mouths are full of different bacteria, after all). Certain situations make it more likely that the infection is caused by a different bacteria:Īnimal bites: Cat, dog, or even human bites tend to introduce different germs into the skin. This means that it may not respond to typical antibiotics and might need a different type of antibiotic. But sometimes, cellulitis is caused by a less common bacteria. Most cases of cellulitis are caused by the bacteria that naturally live on the surface of our skin, like staphylococcus and streptococcus. ![]() 3) The cellulitis may be caused by a less common bacteria If you notice redness that goes all the way around your arm or leg and you have severe pain, you may need more aggressive treatment to get the infection under control. It becomes concerning when the infection goes around the entire limb. But that doesn’t mean that they are completely risk free. The good news is that most cases of cellulitis start in lower-risk locations, like the arms and legs. But if you have an infection in one of these areas, get re-evaluated right away if your symptoms aren’t getting better. You can still treat many of these infections at home with oral antibiotics. This can quickly lead to sepsis (discussed below). These infections are particularly dangerous because they spread deep and fast. Perineum: This is the area between the genitals and anus. And severe infection can permanently damage important structures that can affect hand function in the future. Hand: Infections here can spread quickly because of the tight spaces in your hand. This kind of infection will be relatively obvious because it will cause severe pain inside the joint anytime you move. This requires special treatment to avoid permanent damage to the joint. Joint: Sometimes, what looks like a skin infection over a joint is actually an infection inside the joint. Neck: Cellulitis in and around your neck can become a problem when the swelling starts to push on your airway. In severe cases, this can lead to vision loss or even infection or blood clots in the brain. Some of these higher risk locations include:Įye: If you have an infection near your eye, it is a little more concerning because bacteria can spread more easily to your eye. Or the infection is more likely to cause complications to nearby body parts. ![]() In certain areas of the body, it is more common for an infection to spread faster or deeper. 2) The cellulitis is in a high-risk location on your body And this may require a change in the type of antibiotic you are taking or an IV form of the same antibiotic. You may have one of the complicating factors that we discuss below. If your cellulitis doesn’t improve after 48 hours on antibiotics, you should consider going back to your provider or the emergency room to have your infection reassessed. Less fever: If you have a fever, it should start to go away. Less pain: The infected area will feel less tender. A good way to tell is to draw a line around the red area before you start antibiotics. But at the least, the redness should not get worse. Less redness: This may take a day or two after you start antibiotics. Check the infection regularly, and make sure there is: If you have seen your healthcare provider and started oral antibiotics, you should see improvement in your symptoms within 24 to 48 hours. 1 of 6 1) Your infection is not getting better with antibiotics
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |