Cellulitis is a common bacterial infection affecting the deeper layers of the skin and the tissues beneath it. It typically manifests as an area of skin that is red, swollen, and tender to the touch. While it can cause discomfort and potentially lead to serious complications if left unaddressed, cellulitis is generally not considered contagious in most everyday situations.
What Cellulitis Is
Cellulitis presents with symptoms like warmth, tenderness, redness, and swelling in the affected skin. This discoloration and swelling can spread rapidly. On lighter skin tones, it appears red or pink, while on darker skin tones, it might look dark brown, gray, or purple. Some individuals may also experience fever, chills, fatigue, or muscle aches.
The infection develops when bacteria, most commonly Staphylococcus or Streptococcus species, enter the skin through a break in its surface. These breaks can include cuts, scrapes, insect bites, animal bites, surgical wounds, or chronic skin conditions like athlete’s foot or eczema. Normally, these bacteria live harmlessly on the skin, but an opening allows them to penetrate deeper layers and cause infection.
Several factors can increase susceptibility to cellulitis. Individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those with diabetes, HIV, or cancer, are at higher risk as their bodies are less able to fight infections. Other risk factors include chronic swelling of the limbs (lymphedema), obesity, and skin problems that compromise the skin barrier.
Contagion and Recovery
Cellulitis is not transmitted from person to person through casual contact or airborne particles. However, in rare instances, transmission could occur if an open wound on an uninfected individual directly contacts an infected, draining wound on a person with cellulitis. This scenario is uncommon.
To minimize potential, albeit rare, transmission and prevent recurrence, good hygiene practices are encouraged. This includes washing wounds gently with soap and water daily, applying antibiotic ointment, and covering them with a clean bandage. Prompt treatment of underlying skin conditions, such as athlete’s foot or eczema, can also help reduce the risk of bacterial entry.
Cellulitis is treated with antibiotics, usually taken orally for 5 to 10 days. Common oral antibiotics include cephalexin or dicloxacillin. In more severe cases, or if oral antibiotics are not effective, intravenous antibiotics may be necessary, sometimes requiring hospitalization. It is important to complete the entire course of medication, even if symptoms begin to improve.
Timely medical attention is important to prevent complications. Consult a doctor if you notice a rapidly spreading rash, increased redness, swelling, or pain. Seek emergency care if symptoms worsen quickly, if you develop a high fever, chills, or if the affected area becomes numb, tingles, or appears blackened. Untreated cellulitis can spread to the bloodstream or lymph nodes, potentially leading to serious conditions like sepsis or other deep-layer infections.