Cellulitis Research Paper

Cellulitis

Introduction Cellulitis is a common, potentially serious bacterial skin infection; it appears as a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender. Cellulitis can spread rapidly to other parts of the body. (MayoClinic, 2016). Cellulitis can appear on any part of the body, however it is most commonly seen on the legs. A small cut is capable of turning into cellulitis, which can spread to lymph nodes and the bloodstream, and can possibly lead to amputation.

Causes/Risk Factors Anyone who has a weakened immune system is at risk of developing cellulitis. People who have type 2 diabetes are usually the people you will see in the hospital with cellulitis. This is because high glucose levels are “breeding grounds” for infections; also these people are commonly overweight which is also a risk factor of developing cellulitis. Another reason people with type 2 diabetes are at the highest risk for cellulitis is they commonly have something called diabetic nerve pain, meaning they lose some of the feeling in their feet so if the get a cut they don’t even know it. Other people at risk for developing cellulitis are people who have chronic swelling because that puts them at risk for their skin cracking thus allowing bacteria to enter. Intravenous drug abusers are also at risk for developing cellulitis.

Signs and symptoms include; Red area of skin that tends to expand, swelling, tenderness/pain, warmth/heat, fever, red spots, blisters, skin dimpling. It is important to seek professional treatment because cellulitis can lead to