Cellulitis and abscess

Cellulitis is a skin infection that sometimes escorts damage to the skin, poor circulation, or diabetes. Streptococcal or staphylococcal bacteria enter the skin with the help of a cut, puncture, ulcer, or sore, producing enzymes that break down the skin cells. Erysipelas is a superficial kind of cellulitis. Infants are generally susceptible to buccal cellulitis, an infection of the skin on the cheek. The infection is featured by skin discoloration and swelling and is more often misdiagnosed as a bruise. It is caused due to any substance that may cause injury to the buccal mucosal, such as Popsicles and ice cubes, and prolonged exposure of infants to low temperature. Other infections that are usually mistaken as buccal cellulitis include erysipelas, severe impetigo, and insect bites. Orbital cellulitis is a rare, and an acute infection of the eye socket. It affects commonly to the children, and the onset is rapid and severe. Bacteria enter the orbit of the eye, particularly from an infection in the sinuses, a boil on the eye or eyelid, or a foreign object. The soft tissue lining is infected. In most cases only one of the eye is affected. This is an acute and dangerous infection and may need hospitalization and antibiotic treatment.

Causes

The lower extremities are the most usual sites of infection. A skin abnormality commonly precedes the infection. Scars from saphenous vein removal for cardiac or vascular surgery are frequent sites for recurrent cellulitis, especially if tinea pedis is present. Generally, however, no predisposing condition or site of entry is evident. Streptococcus pyogenes is the most ordinary cause of superficial cellulitis with diffuse spread of infection. Staphylococcus aureus occasionally produces a superficial cellulitis typically less extensive that of streptococcal origin and generally only in association with an open wound or cutaneous abscess. Other bacteria may lead to cellulitis occurring after animal bites, especially Pasteurella multocida from dogs and cats.

Symptoms

In cellulitis, the skin appears to be red and swollen and is both warm and painful to the touch and is sometimes accompanied by fever, malaise, chills, and headache. If antibiotics are not given, the condition might progress to abscesses and tissue damage. Erysipelas is a superficial kind of cellulitis characterized by redness, swelling, vesicles, fever, and pain. It is caused by a species of streptococci, which generally starts with a headache, fever, and general distress, followed by small, red patches that spread and swell so that the border may be easy to see and feel.

Recommended Reading:

1. Buccal cellulitis - Buccal cellulitis is an innocuous appearing disease of the cheek that is found in children and has a high incidence...
2. Cellulitis symptoms - The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some probable signs and symptoms of Cellulitis. This...
3. Acute cellulitis - Acute cellulitis literally is an acute infection that spreads all over the subcutaneous tissue. Basically there are two main types...
4. Periorbital Cellulitis: an introduction and description - Periorbital Cellulitis can be defined as an inflammation and infection of the eyelid and the skin surrounding the eye. Periorbital...
5. Cellulitis of the face - Cellulitis is a disease caused due to bacterial infection. Bacteria such as streptococcus and staphylococcus are mainly responsible for this...