Related articles: Infectious Cellulite
Definition
Infectious cellulite is an inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue due to a bacterial infection.
In most cases, it is caused by streptococci and staphylococci that can penetrate from wounds, ulcerations, infections or injuries caused by concomitant pathologies that compromise the integrity of the skin barrier. Even animal bites can give rise to the pathological process.
Cellulite is frequent, in particular, in patients with chronic venous insufficiency and lymphedema.
Most common symptoms and signs *
- Skin abscess
- Asthenia
- Bacteremia
- bubbles
- Swollen arms
- Chills
- Foot pain
- Muscle pains
- Bruising
- Edema
- Erythema
- Exophthalmos
- Temperature
- phlegmon
- Swelling, redness, heat or pain on palpation of the scrotum
- Hypotension
- Lymphangitis
- Lymphedema
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Headache
- petechiae
- Throat Plates
- Tachycardia
- blisters
Further indications
The symptoms of cellulite include pain, erythema and edema, often accompanied by lymphangitis and regional lymph node volume increase. The skin is warm, red, and superficially assumes an orange peel appearance. The petechiae are frequent, while the presence of ecchymoses is rare. In addition, blisters and blisters can develop. Infection is typically unilateral and occurs more frequently in the lower limbs.
In some cases, fever, chills, tachycardia, headache, hypotension and confusion may precede the onset of skin manifestations by several hours. Possible complications are serious, but rare, and include necrotic processes in the affected skin area, formation of local abscesses and bacteremia. Relapses in the same area can cause serious damage to lymphatic vessels, causing chronic lymphatic obstruction and lymphedema.
The diagnosis is based on the evaluation of signs and symptoms on physical examination; the cultures of the skin and wounds are sometimes useful to identify the infecting organism.
Cellulite can simulate a deep vein thrombosis, from which it can be differentiated by one or more aspects; in the presence of deep vein thrombosis, in fact the skin is normal or cold (instead of hot), smooth, with normal or cyanotic (instead of red), while lymphangitis and regional lymphadenopathy are absent.
The treatment is based on antibiotic therapy, which, if timely, is associated with an excellent prognosis.
