
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can have serious health consequences if left untreated. It is caused by staphylococcus (staph) or streptococcus (strep) bacteria, although other types of bacteria can also be responsible. The infection can spread to the lymph nodes and bloodstream, becoming life-threatening. In rare cases, bacteria from an untreated cellulitis infection can enter the bloodstream, potentially causing a stroke.
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Can cellulitis cause a stroke? | If left untreated, cellulitis can lead to a rapid heart rate and low blood pressure, which can increase the risk of major complications such as heart failure, cardiac arrest, and stroke. |
What is cellulitis? | Cellulitis is a potentially serious bacterial skin infection that affects the deeper layers of the skin, including the dermis (second layer of skin) and the subcutaneous tissue (fat and connective tissue forming the bottom layer of skin). |
How does cellulitis occur? | Cellulitis occurs when bacteria enter the body through a break in the skin, such as a cut, scratch, insect bite, burn, or surgical wound. It can also occur through a puncture wound or a break in the skin caused by a skin condition. |
Where on the body does cellulitis occur? | Cellulitis can develop anywhere on the body but is most common on the lower legs in adults and the face and neck in children. |
Symptoms | Symptoms of cellulitis include redness, warmth, pain, tenderness, swelling, blisters, pustules, and skin breakdown. In severe cases, it can also cause cold sweats, nausea, difficulty thinking, a fast heartbeat, and low blood pressure. |
Treatment | Cellulitis is treated with systemic antibiotics, either oral or intravenous in severe cases. Proper wound care and prompt medical treatment are essential to prevent complications. |
Complications | If left untreated, cellulitis can spread to the lymph nodes, bloodstream, muscles, bones, heart, nervous system, and bloodstream, leading to life-threatening complications such as sepsis, heart failure, cardiac arrest, and stroke. |
Prevention | To prevent cellulitis, it is important to practice good wound care, treat minor skin wounds promptly, and seek medical attention for deep wounds or animal/human bites. |
What You'll Learn
Cellulitis and sepsis
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that affects the deeper layers of the skin and the tissue underneath. It is most commonly caused by Staphylococcus (staph) or Streptococcus (strep) bacteria, although other types of bacteria can also be the source. The infection typically occurs when there is a break in the skin, such as a cut, scrape, or bug bite, allowing bacteria to enter. While cellulitis usually affects the lower legs, it can occur anywhere on the body.
Left untreated, cellulitis can have severe consequences, including the risk of developing sepsis. Sepsis, also known as blood poisoning, is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body responds to an infection. It requires rapid diagnosis and treatment, similar to strokes and heart attacks.
The signs and symptoms of cellulitis include redness, swelling, pain, and tenderness in the affected area. In more severe cases, additional symptoms may include blister formation, pustules, skin breakdown, fever, and a rapid heart rate. If cellulitis is not treated promptly, it can spread to the lymph nodes and bloodstream, becoming life-threatening.
To prevent cellulitis, it is important to practice good skin care and proper first aid for any skin injuries. This includes keeping the skin clean, moisturized, and free of infections. If cellulitis is suspected, it is crucial to seek medical care as soon as possible. Antibiotics, either oral or intravenous, are typically used to treat cellulitis effectively.
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Cellulitis and stroke risk factors
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can become life-threatening if left untreated. It can spread to the lymph nodes and bloodstream, becoming life-threatening. It is therefore important to seek medical care if you develop symptoms of cellulitis.
Untreated cellulitis can lead to serious medical conditions, including a rapid heart rate and low blood pressure, which can affect heart function and increase the risk of major complications such as heart failure, cardiac arrest, and stroke.
In addition to cellulitis, certain infectious diseases can directly lead to ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Common bacterial infections can increase susceptibility to stroke by promoting atherosclerosis, inflammation, and local thrombosis.
People with certain underlying medical conditions are at a higher risk of developing cellulitis. These conditions include:
- Advanced age, which is associated with a weaker immune system
- A weakened immune system due to an autoimmune disease, diabetes, cancer, or HIV/AIDS
- Use of immunosuppressive medications
- Injection of illicit drugs
- Obesity or being overweight
- Skin conditions like eczema, athlete's foot, or venous stasis dermatitis that cause breaks in the skin
- Previous history of cellulitis
To prevent cellulitis, it is important to practice proper first aid and wound care, maintain good circulation and skin health, and address any underlying risk factors.
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Cellulitis symptoms
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can become life-threatening if left untreated. It can occur anywhere on the body but is most common on the lower legs of adults and the face and neck of children.
The symptoms of cellulitis include:
- Skin that is warm to the touch.
- Redness that starts in one area and spreads.
- Pain and tenderness.
- Swelling that may start in one area and gradually spread.
- Blisters.
- Pustules (bumps on the skin containing pus).
- Necrosis (skin breakdown).
- Cold sweats.
- Nausea.
- Difficulty thinking.
- A fast heartbeat.
- Low blood pressure.
- Flu-like symptoms, including a fever higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), chills, sweats, body aches, and fatigue.
- Skin that looks lumpy or pitted, like an orange peel.
If you suspect that you have cellulitis, it is important to seek medical care as soon as possible. Cellulitis can progress quickly and lead to serious complications, including sepsis and stroke.
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Cellulitis treatment
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that affects the deeper layers of the skin, including the dermis and the subcutaneous tissue. It is usually caused by staphylococcus (staph) and streptococcus (strep) bacteria, although other types of bacteria can also be responsible. It is important to treat cellulitis as soon as possible to prevent it from becoming life-threatening.
Treatment Options
If you've had cellulitis more than three or four times in a year, your doctor may prescribe a low-dose antibiotic as a preventive measure.
Home Treatments
Some home treatments may help speed up the healing process:
- Apply a warm compress to the affected area to reduce swelling.
- Elevate the affected area to lower blood pressure in the blood vessels and improve blood flow.
- Use compression wraps or stockings to reduce swelling and improve blood flow. Make sure not to wrap the affected area too tightly, as this can cut off circulation. Remove the compression wrap at least twice a day for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Take over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen to reduce pain and inflammation. Check with your healthcare provider before taking NSAIDs.
Preventing Cellulitis
Good hygiene and skin care can help prevent cellulitis:
- Practise good personal hygiene by washing your hands regularly with soap and warm water, cleaning and trimming your nails, showering regularly, and wearing clean clothes.
- Apply lotion to dry, cracked skin.
- Use gloves when there is a risk of cuts and scrapes.
- Keep small wounds clean and apply an antibiotic ointment.
- Cover wounds with a bandage to prevent dirt or bacteria from entering.
- Seek medical attention for any deep cuts or puncture wounds.
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Preventing cellulitis
Practice Good First Aid
For a minor cut or scratch, clean and cover the wound yourself or with help. However, seek medical attention for deep cuts (one-quarter inch or deeper), puncture wounds, animal or human bites, large burns or scrapes, or wounds that continue bleeding after 10-15 minutes of direct pressure.
Take Precautions with Skin Wounds
- Wash wounds daily with soap and water, being gentle.
- Consult a doctor about applying a protective cream or ointment; non-prescription ointments are usually adequate.
- Cover wounds with a bandage, changing it daily until healing is complete.
- Soak wounds with diluted white vinegar (three parts water to one part vinegar) for 10 minutes to kill bacteria.
Address Risk Factors
- Lose weight if overweight.
- Quit smoking.
- Limit alcohol consumption to one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.
- Wear compression stockings, especially if you have chronic leg edema.
Take Extra Care with Diabetes
People with diabetes should be diligent about foot care, treating athlete's foot and receiving routine podiatric care. Inspect feet daily for redness, warmth, blisters, injuries, etc. Moisturize feet (but not between toes) and keep toenails and fingernails trimmed. Wear appropriate footwear.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, cellulitis can cause a stroke if left untreated. Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can spread to the bloodstream and become life-threatening. This can lead to serious complications such as sepsis, cardiac arrest, and stroke.
Cellulitis is caused by bacteria, most commonly Streptococcus (strep) or Staphylococcus (staph), that enter the skin through a break such as a cut or insect bite. The bacteria multiply and cause inflammation, leading to symptoms such as redness, swelling, and pain. If untreated, the infection can spread to the bloodstream, increasing the risk of major complications like stroke.
Common symptoms of cellulitis include redness, swelling, warmth, and tenderness of the affected area. It usually occurs on the lower legs in adults and on the face and neck in children. Other symptoms may include blisters, pustules, chills, fatigue, and low blood pressure.
Cellulitis is typically treated with antibiotics, either orally or intravenously in severe cases. It is important to seek medical care promptly if you develop symptoms of cellulitis to prevent the infection from worsening and spreading to the bloodstream.