Cellulitis

Question 1

What does cellulitis literally mean?

Answer 1

Cellular inflammation -> this is not specific

Question 2

What is Cellulitis?

Answer 2

It is an infection caused by a bacterium

Question 3

Briefly explain cellulitis.

Answer 3

Bacterium enters host if skin is compromised (through wounds, ulcers etc). Inflammation occurs as a response to infection which is widespread.

Question 4

What is cellulitis usually caused by?

Answer 4

Beta Hemolytic Streptococcus or Staphlycoccus Aureus

Question 5

Risks/Etiology for cellulitis?

Answer 5

• Compromised skin (ulcers; wounds; incisions etc) -> dermal lesions
• compromised defenses (eg. HIV/AIDs)
• Elderly
• BACTERIA

Question 6

Which areas of the body does this infection typically target?

Answer 6

• Legs (calf, thighs-> most common place), hands, and pinna of ear

Question 7

Give an example of cellulitis and briefly explain.

Answer 7

Athlete’s foot (skin compromised between toes). Bacteria enter through wound, advance up legs and cause cellulitis in the thighs. It invades the dermis, gets into the subcutaneous layer (lots of empty space so the bacteria can divide and conquer-> get into the lymphatic vessels and spread systemically)

Question 8

Manifestations of cellulitis?

Answer 8

• changes in skin superficially (surface of thigh, hand etc)
• erythema
• Warmth
• Edema
• Fever
• Pain

Question 9

Treatment for cellulitis?

Answer 9

Mid: oral antibiotics; severe: IV antibiotics (7-14 days)

Question 10

Complications of cellulitis?

Answer 10

• recurrence (particularly in elderly)
• lymphangitis
• gangrene
• sepsis

Question 11

Lymphangitis?

Answer 11

inflammation of the lymphatic vessels as bacteria advance through them and spread