Pictures Of Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a very intense bacterial infection caused by numerous types of bacteria, namely certain groups of Streptococcus and Staphylococcus.  These types of bacteria frequently cause serious infection in various parts of the body, namely the skin, and can even lead to antibiotic resistant infection such as MRSA, which are serious health issues. 

Cellulitis can infect anyone, and all it takes is the right kind of bacteria entering the body through some type of break in the skin.  The size of the break is very unimportant, as microscopic openings can allow the bacteria to get in.  Cellulitis is very serious condition, as it can be indicative of a more serious infection, including several that are life threatening.  If you think you may have cellulitis based on these pictures of cellulitis, you should seek medical treatment immediately.  Both my father and grandfather have had cellulitis infections in the past, which required them both to be put in the hospital for a few days in order to clear up the infection.  My grandfather has had cellulitis in his right leg three times in his life, and every time he has had to be put in.  Cellulitis is a serious condition, and it should be treated as such.

Cellulitis symptoms tend to include a spreading rash, a fever, chills and general malaise.  The rash is the most distinctive symptoms, causing the infected area to turn red, swell and become hot to the touch.  The bacterial infection itself tends to start in the upper levels of the dermis and move to the lower levels as it starts to progress. When it starts to reach the lower levels of the skin is when the bacteria starts to spread throughout the body.

While cellulitis tends to occur more in the legs, it can start in any part of the body, including the arms, abdomen and even the head.  Developing cellutlis in the head can be very dangerous, since the spreading bacteria can easily get to the brain.  Optical cellulitis is where a cellulitis infection develops in the eye.  Unfortunately, it is a fairly common type.  Diabetics are more likely than most to develop cellulitis, since they typically have poorer circulation in the legs and are prone to develop ulcers on their legs. 

In this picture of cellulitis you can see just how bad the infection causes the skin to swell.  Edema, which is excess fluid accumulating in an infected area, is one of the main symptoms of a cellulitis infection.  The area is swelling due to the infection causing fluid to become trapped in the area.

Cellulitis can lead to other types of infections caused by similar bacteria, including the dreaded MRSA.  Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is the super bug that is becoming more and more common in hospitals.  Cellulitis can both develop because of MRSA, and cellulitis can cause and MRSA infection to develop.

Cellulitis can be caused by a number of various skin traumas, including cracks in the skin, cuts, burns, bites, blisters, abscesses and scrapes.  No matter how the bacteria entered the skin, the treatment remains the same.  Treatments for cellulitis include heavy doses of antibiotics, typically inserted directly to the infected area.  Along with the antibiotics, other treatments are used to treat the rash.  Mainly cold compresses are used in order to reduce swelling and help stop the bacteria from spreading.  Elevating the infected area much above the heart is not usually used, since draining the fluid in this manner can help the bacteria spread.

Severe cellulitis infections, which you can see in these pictures of cellulitis, can cause dermal damage from the infection.  The symptoms of the rash can cause the tissue to start to break down over time, which is why immediate medical attention is crucial to a successful recovery. Those at a higher risk of developing cellulitis are those who share bathing and hygiene facilities with a large population.

Optical cellulitis, as you will see in these next two pictures of cellulitis, cause the eye lids to swell and become inflamed, eventually leading to the actual eye developing a rash.  Optical cellulitis is common, especially in children.  Children are prone to develop cellulitis due to their immune system not being fully developed, making them more susceptible to developing infections.

Severe cases of optical cellulitis can even cause the eye to swell shut, which is a sign of the infection becoming worse.  n most cases the infection will not improve without appropriate medical treatment, since most of the types of bacteria the cause cellulitis can't be handled by the immune system alone.