Cellulitis can cause thrombophlebitis (swelling in a vein due to a blood clot).
DVT, when associated with cellulitis, is still rarer, as very few case reports exist in literature. Although rare, DVT should be suspected in children presenting with cellulitis, because late or missed diagnosis can cause life-threatening complications.
You have signs that your infection is getting worse, such as: Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness. Red streaks leading from the area. Pus draining from the area.
Complications from cellulitis are uncommon but can include serious infections: Bacteremia (blood infection) Suppurative arthritis (bacterial infection in a joint) Osteomyelitis (bone infection)
And if your skin starts looking black, or if you experience weakness or tingling in your arm, hand, foot or leg, go to an emergency department near you.
Complications of cellulitis can be very serious. These can include extensive tissue damage and tissue death (gangrene). The infection can also spread to the blood, bones, lymph system, heart, or nervous system. These infections can lead to amputation, shock, or even death.
Among its many functions the skin is an incredible organ always protecting the body from external agents. Cellulitis is a deep infection of the skin, usually accompanied by generalized (systemic) symptoms such as fever and chills. The area of redness increases in size as the infection spreads.
“Deep vein thrombosis can also look a lot like cellulitis of the leg,” says Bystritsky.
You may have cellulitis if you have an area of skin that is warm, red, tender and very painful. If your infection is severe, you may also have symptoms like fever and nausea. If you think you or someone in your care has cellulitis, it's important to get medical attention as soon as possible.
Severe redness and swelling are typical in cellulitis. The skin is usually very warm to the touch. Red streaking may indicate that the infection is spreading.
Several common conditions can mimic cellulitis, creating a potential for misdiagnosis and incorrect management. The most common disorders mistaken for lower limb cellulitis include venous eczema, lipodermatosclerosis, irritant dermatitis, and lymphedema.
Cellulitis is considered an emergency when the infection begins to spread and become severe. Severe symptoms that indicate an emergency—and necessitate immediate medical care—include fever, chills, the affected area turning black, and numbness or tingling of the affected area.
Most people feel better after seven to 10 days. It's very important to take cellulitis seriously and get treatment right away. Cellulitis can quickly progress and lead to more severe conditions. The bacteria could spread to your bloodstream (bacteremia) or heart (endocarditis), which may be fatal.
The overall worldwide mortality rate was 1.1% (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.7–1.8). For studies from the USA, the rate was 0.5% (95% CI 0.3–0.9). The actual cause of death was generally poorly described, and only one third of deaths appeared to be due to infection.
A delay in seeking medical care or use of the wrong treatment could allow the infection to worsen. To ensure that the correct treatment is used, it is important to be evaluated immediately by a health care provider, particularly if the cellulitis is rapidly increasing or fever and chills develop.
With proper treatment and care, small patches of cellulitis can heal in around five or seven days. However, the healing process is largely influenced by the severity of your cellulitis as well as your current health condition. For example, severe cases of cellulitis can last for multiple weeks despite treatment.
Cellulitis is an infection of the deeper layers of skin and the underlying tissue. It can be serious if not treated promptly. The infection develops suddenly and can spread through the body quickly. Severe infections can spread deep into the body, and can be life threatening.
Treatment for cellulitis
It's important to keep taking antibiotics until they're finished, even when you feel better. Most people make a full recovery after 7 to 10 days. If cellulitis is severe, you might be referred to hospital for treatment.
You may need to keep your foot elevated as much as possible for at least 48 hours. However, to aid circulation, you should go for short walks every now and then and wiggle your toes regularly when your foot is raised. If you have cellulitis in a forearm or hand, a high sling can help to raise the affected area.