What Is Cellulitis?
Cellulitis is a common soft tissue and skin infection that can occur when bacteria enter through a break in the skin. It typically affects the lower limbs in 70 to 80% of cases. The skin acts as a protective barrier, but when it is compromised—whether from a cut, insect bite, or another type of injury—bacteria can infiltrate the subcutaneous tissue and lymphatic system, causing infection. Once bacteria are in the skin, they can cause rapid redness, swelling, and warmth that can spread quickly. While cellulitis can occur anywhere on the body, it most commonly affects the lower legs.
Interesting Fact: Over 14 million cases of cellulitis occur in the United States annually.
What Are the Risk Factors for Cellulitis?
Several factors can increase the risk of cellulitis, particularly those that cause breaks in the skin barrier or affect the body’s immune response:
- Skin injuries: Cuts, scrapes, or surgical incisions
- Insect or animal bites: Sites where bacteria can enter
- Skin conditions: Fungal infections, eczema, and psoriasis
- Medical conditions: Diabetes, venous insufficiency, peripheral arterial disease, lymphedema
- Other causes: Intravenous site punctures, fissures between toes, obesity, and compromised immune systems
Symptoms of Cellulitis
Symptoms of cellulitis include redness that spreads rapidly along the skin, warmth, swelling, fever, and pain in the affected area. Some bacteria, such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus, can cause abscesses or blisters (bullae) under the skin. Patients with conditions like lymphedema, chronic venous insufficiency, diabetes, or those who have experienced animal bites or water exposure are at an increased risk of developing cellulitis.
How Is Cellulitis Diagnosed?
Cellulitis is typically diagnosed by a physical examination. Laboratory tests or imaging studies, such as computed tomography (CT) scans or ultrasounds, are only necessary for more severe infections to look for deeper pockets of infection or abscesses.
Treatment for Cellulitis
The primary treatment for cellulitis is antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria causing the infection. Antibiotics may be taken orally in mild cases, while severe cases may require hospitalization for intravenous antibiotics. If an abscess is present, it should be drained when possible. For patients with recurrent cellulitis episodes, long-term antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent further occurrences.
Preventing Cellulitis
- Maintain skin health: Keep the skin moisturized to prevent cracks and breaks, especially on the feet.
- Wound prevention: Avoid activities that may cause injuries.
- Manage chronic swelling: Elevate affected areas or use compression garments as recommended by your healthcare provider.
- Follow medical advice: Take antibiotics as prescribed by your doctor to prevent recurrence.
At Vayu Advanced Wound Clinic & Hyperbarics, Dr. Manjulatha Badam provides individualized treatment plans based on each patient’s specific medical needs and underlying conditions. For more information or to schedule a consultation, call us at 210-651-1112 or book an appointment online.
HBOT for Cellulitis Treatment
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) is an innovative treatment that may help manage cellulitis, particularly in severe or recurrent cases. HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, which increases the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream. This can enhance the body’s natural healing processes by promoting oxygenation in tissues where blood flow is limited.
For cellulitis, HBOT can help by:
- Improving circulation: Enhances blood flow to the affected area, promoting faster recovery.
- Reducing inflammation: Helps reduce swelling and pain.
- Accelerating healing: Increases oxygen delivery to damaged tissues, speeding up the repair process.
Dr. Badam may recommend HBOT as part of a comprehensive cellulitis treatment plan, especially for patients with chronic conditions or those who have not responded to conventional therapies.
For questions or concerns, or to learn more about how HBOT can help treat cellulitis, contact Vayu Advanced Wound Clinic & Hyperbarics today.