Cellulitis nursing

Knowing the term:

Cellulitis may be defined as an acute inflammation of the connective tissues under the epidermal layer of the skin which is caused by a bacterial infection in general. The most common infecting bacteria that are found to be the causative agent of cellulites are the streptococcus and the staphylococcus. These bacteria enter the body through one of the many cracks in the skin, cuts, burns, insect bites, animal bites, surgical wounds, or sites of intravenous catheter insertion. The symptoms include redness, swelling, warmth, and pain or tenderness and its prevalence is mostly found on those parts of the body that are exposed like arms, hands and face. This may occasionally get accompanied by headaches and fever chills, muscle aches and fatigue etc. In some severe cases of cellulitis red streaks known as patches are seen to be traveling up the affected area which can result in the formation of a dark border surrounding the effected region. In these cases the swelling can spread very rapidly.

Nursing and care:

Nursing and care mainly encircles around the hygiene and the preventive measures. A good hygiene and proper care of the wounds are the most effective tools to knock off the disease as well as reducing the risks of development. The wounds should be dressed and cleaned properly and those that are wet or dirty are suggested to be changes daily. This may effectively reduce the chances of the transmission and contraction of the disease. In order to reduce the swellings it is advised to elevate the infected area, usually higher than the heart. Application of warm and moist compresses can also prove effective in reducing the pain by increasing the blood flow to the tissues and thus possibly fight the infection. Medically minor cellulitis is treated with oral antibiotics generally prescribed for a period of 10 to 15 days. The function of the antibiotics is to kill the bacteria and thus minimize the chances of further infection. However in cases of severe and widespread infections intravenous IV, or intramuscular antibiotics are given and the patient may need hospitalization as well. A prolonged infection can give rise to the formation of an abscess where puss may get collected. These may drained out through surgical incision.

Recommended Reading:

1. Cellulitis definition - Cellulitis in a nutshell: In simplest terms cellulitis may be explained as the inflammation of the connective tissues that lies...
2. Bacterial cellulitis - Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and underlying tissues which can affect any area of the body. Not to...
3. Antibiotics for cellulitis - Cellulitis is a spreading bacterial infection just underneath the skin surface. It is most usually caused by Streptococcus pyogenes or...
4. Cellulitis in children - A brief idea about cellulitis Cellulitis is a bacterial infection which affects the skin and the tissues underlying it. It...
5. Cellulitis symptoms - The symptom information on this page attempts to provide a list of some probable signs and symptoms of Cellulitis. This...