Effective Cellulitis Treatment: Causes, Symptoms, and Care Options

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that generally affects your skin or the subcutaneous tissues underneath. The skin condition can be painful and discomforting, sometimes leading to pain, redness/ or swelling. Cellulitis generally occurs on the lower legs though it can occur anywhere in the body. In that case, you may opt for foot cellulitis treatment. Timely treatment ensures that the infection doesn’t get any worse and prevents it from spreading into your bloodstream and causing further complications. 

Read on as we learn more about cellulitis, its causes, cellulitis foot infection, cellulitis treatment, and more. 

What is Cellulitis?

Cellulitis affects the skin and the underlying subcutaneous tissues. It typically occurs when bacteria, commonly Streptococcus or Staphylococcus, enter the skin through a cut, scrape, or insect bite. The infection causes inflammation that leads to redness, swelling, warmth, and pain in the affected area, often spreading rapidly in patients with decreased immunity such as in diabetics. If left untreated, cellulitis can result in serious complications, such as abscesses or the spread of infection to deeper tissues causing necrotizing fasciitis and septicaemia, when the infection spreads all over the body by entering into the bloodstream. 

The hallmark signs of cellulitis include:

• Redness
• Swelling
• Warmth
• Pain

In such a scenario, early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial. In cellulitis, the typical presentation includes swollen legs and feet, fever, chills, and tenderness when touching the affected area. History of injury or itching may be there.It can resemble Charcot’s foot, but cellulitis tends to be milder and affects the legs more than the foot. Through proper screening, an elevated white blood cell (WBC) count can help confirm the infection.

A more extreme condition of cellulitis is necrotizing fasciitis, also known as “flesh-eating disease.” This is a rapidly progressing infection that destroys tissue and can lead to severe complications, including sepsis, shock, and even death. Immediate surgical intervention is critical in such cases. Emergency radical debridement to clear all the unhealthy tissues from the body is the main stay of treatment.Without prompt treatment, these issues can escalate into acute Charcot foot, leading to severe complications like foot collapse, permanent loss of movement, and in extreme cases, the need for amputation. Early consultation for swollen foot to foot specialists and Regular medical check-ups are crucial for early detection and prevention.

Symptoms of Cellulitis

Now that you know what cellulitis is and what it looks like, here are some of the symptoms of cellulitis to look out for:

• Swollen legs and feet
• Fever and chills
• Tenderness when touching the affected area
• Red and warm skin

These symptoms can resemble Charcot’s foot (a condition causing inflammation and foot deformities), but cellulitis tends to be less severe. Proper diagnosis is crucial and mostly clinical, and an elevated white blood cell count (WBC)and MRI foot scan can help to rule out Charcot from cellulitis.

Complications in Diabetic Patients

Cellulitis can become a severe, life-threatening condition, especially in diabetic patients or those with compromised immune systems. In such cases, the infection may extend beyond the skin and subcutaneous tissues, reaching the deeper layers of the legs and other parts of the body.

Key Indicators of Severe Infection:

• Necrosis: Tissue death due to infection.
• WBC Count: A rise in WBC count to 20,000-25,000 signals a severe infection that may require surgical intervention.
• Surgical Emergency: In extreme cases, immediate surgery is necessary for aggressive debridement (removal of infected tissue), as failure to act can lead to sepsis and death within three days.

Necrotizing Fasciitis: A Deadly Condition

A severe form of cellulitis is necrotizing fasciitis, also known as “flesh-eating disease.” This condition rapidly destroys tissue, leading to severe complications such as:

• Sepsis
• Shock
• Death

Immediate surgical intervention is critical in such cases, as antibiotics alone are insufficient to stop the infection’s progression.

Treatment of Cellulitis

The Cellulitis treatment varies depending on the severity of the condition:

Mild to moderate Cases:

• Antibiotics: The primary treatment to eliminate the bacteria.
• Compression and Immobilization: To reduce swelling and promote healing.
• Rest: Essential for recovery.
• Sugar Control: Diabetic patients must manage their blood sugar levels, as high sugar levels can exacerbate infections.

Severe Cases if necrotizing fasciitis like

• Surgery: Required for aggressive debridement in severe infections, especially when necrosis occurs.

Intensive Medical Care: For conditions like necrotizing fasciitis, rapid intervention is vital to prevent complications.

The Role of Podiatric Surgeons and Foot Care

Podiatric surgeons primarily focus on surgical interventions for foot conditions, they also play a crucial role in managing complications resulting from unnoticed minor injuries. These injuries, often from everyday activities or accidents, can become infected, especially in wet conditions that allow bacteria to enter wounds.

Common Foot Injury Risks:

• Road traffic accidents
• Falls or bumps against sharp objects
• Wet conditions (e.g., rain) increase bacterial entry into the skin excoriations arising out of minor unnoticed injuries like itching.

Special Considerations for Diabetic Patients

Diabetic patients are at a higher risk of cellulitis, as they often experience skin itching due to underlying conditions, leading to scratching that breaks the skin’s protective barrier. Once the barrier is compromised, bacteria and water can easily enter, causing infections.

Wound Care for Diabetics:

Proper monitoring and foot care are essential to prevent cellulitis.

Regular check-ups with a physician or diabetologist are recommended to maintain proper sugar control and avoid complications.

Diagnosis and When to Seek Treatment:

Your diagnosis of cellulitis starts with your healthcare expert assessing your symptoms. Based on the same, they may recommend a few physical tests. Here are some of the tests that you may have to take:

• Blood biochemical tests

This helps the doctor understand if your infection has entered into the blood or not. 

Complete hemogram 

Kidney function tests

Liver function tests

• Bacteria Identification 

This particular culture test in the blood and the wound helps the doctor identify the bacteria causing your infection. 

Here are some of the signs that you should be looking for “cellulitis treatment near me” or consider visiting a doctor. 

• In case your swelling or pain increases.
• In case your infection persists even after having your antibiotics for a few days.
• In case your infection starts to spread. 

Treatment Options for Cellulitis

The most common and effective cellulitis treatment starts with compressive dressing and  antibiotics. These antibiotics are oral or intravenous drugs. And they take a general time of 5-7 days to help relieve the symptoms. However, you are suggested to complete the full course to completely cure the infection.

Additionally, in some cases, these oral  medications might not work. The doctors then go for intravenous antibiotics. 

Further, in case of severe infection, your doctor may suggest surgery if cellulitis progressed to necrotizing fasciitis. Here, they  do radical debridement surgery under suitable anesthesia to  clear all the unhealthy and non viable tissues from the body.

Home Care and Wound Care:

First and foremost is giving rest to the legs by not walking. Complete bed rest is better along with over-the-counter painkillers for a few hours.

Ice sponges may be tried till the patients seek proper advice from foot specialists. No hot therapies or no warm water with saline. These sorts of home care remedies should not be tried.

Dr. G. Saravanakumar’s Expertise:

If you’re also struggling with cellulitis or searching “cellulitis treatment near me”, then you’re at the right place. Dr Saravanakumar MBBS, MS, DA, FPS, a highly qualified podiatric surgeon and foot specialist combines advanced treatment methods with his extensive expertise to provide effective care and relief for his patients. 

Here are some testimonials to attest to his results:

1. “A well-trained podiatrist and an able team. Deals with all your foot-related problems”, says Karthik Raja. 
2. “Excellent surgeon. You can get the best and top-end care for your foot here”, says Sai Ganesh

Conclusion

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin that requires prompt medical attention to prevent serious complications. While mild cases can be managed with antibiotics and rest, severe forms, especially in diabetic patients, may necessitate surgical intervention. Proper foot care and early detection can significantly reduce the risk of cellulitis progressing into life-threatening conditions like necrotizing fasciitis.