A Simple Guide To Cellulitis, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions (A Simple Guide to Medical Conditions) By Kenneth Kee Kindle Edition A Simple Guide To Cellulitis, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions (A Simple Guide to Medical Conditions) Chapter 1 Cellulitis What is Cellulitis? Cellulitis is a frequent medical skin infection caused by bacteria that can spread through the skin and connective tissues. The disease is an acute, painful and potentially severe infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. The borders of cellulitis are poorly demarcated. Erysipelas This is essentially a superficial form of cellulitis that involves the upper subcutaneous tissues and dermis. This makes it very difficult to differentiate cellulitis from erysipelas medically. In erysipelas, borders of infection are clearly demarcated. The appearance is that of a fiery red rash that can be painful. Erysipelas is also called St Anthonys fire. This name is from the Egyptian healer of the middle Ages who had been able to cure it. What are the causes of Cellulitis? Risk factors for infection They are frequent and severe in patients with underlying diseases such as: 1. Diabetes, 2. Cancer 3. Immunodeficiency Other risk factors for cellulitis are: 1. Cracks or peeling skin between the toes 2. Venous insufficiency or history of peripheral vascular disease 3. Injury or trauma with a break in the skin or skin wounds or abrasions 4. Insect bites and stings, animal bites, or human bites 5. Ulcers from certain diseases including diabetes and vascular disease 6. Use of corticosteroid medications or medications that suppress the immune system 7. Wound from a recent surgery 8. Previous erysipelas or cellulitis. 9. Elderly age. 10. Alcoholism 11. Intravenous drug use. 12. Lymph edema. 13. Obesity. 14. Inflammatory dermatoses. 15. Pregnancy. Causative organisms Cellulitis Majority of infections that involve intact skin are believed to caused by streptococci, although many other micro organisms may be responsible if the skin integrity is compromised Infrequently, Gram negative bacteria, anaerobes or fungi may produce cellulitis. These organisms are frequent causes in children, people with immuno compromised patients and in diabetes. Cellulitis happening around surgical wounds less than 24 hours post operatively may result from group A beta hemolytic streptococci or Clostridium perfringens. The latter produces gas gangrene, resulting in crepitus on examination. Erysipelas Majority of infections are with group A streptococci but Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Yersinia enterocolitica, Hemophilus influenzae type b, and Moraxella spp. have been found. Rarer causative organisms Infrequently, cellulitis or erysipelas may be produced by other organisms: 1. H. influenzae type b in children less than 6 years of age. 2. Pasteurella multocida, Streptococcus anginosus (formerly known as Streptococcus milleri), and 3. Capnocytophaga canimorsus following cat or dog bites. 4. Vibrio vulnificus, Aeromonas hydrophila following sea or fresh water exposure. 5. Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in butchers, vets or fish handlers. 6. Mycobacterium marinum in aquarium keepers.

A Simple Guide To Cellulitis, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions (A Simple Guide to Medical Conditions) By Kenneth Kee

English

149

Kindle Edition

Chapter 1 Cellulitis What is Cellulitis Cellulitis is a frequent medical skin infection caused by bacteria that can spread through the skin and connective tissues The disease is an acute painful and potentially severe infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues The borders of cellulitis are poorly demarcated Erysipelas This is essentially a superficial form of cellulitis that involves the upper subcutaneous tissues and dermis This makes it very difficult to differentiate cellulitis from erysipelas medically In erysipelas borders of infection are clearly demarcated The appearance is that of a fiery red rash that can be painful Erysipelas is also called St Anthony s fire This name is from the Egyptian healer of the middle Ages who had been able to cure it What are the causes of Cellulitis Risk factors for infection They are frequent and severe in patients with underlying diseases such as 1 Diabetes 2 Cancer 3 Immunodeficiency Other risk factors for cellulitis are 1 Cracks or peeling skin between the toes 2 Venous insufficiency or history of peripheral vascular disease 3 Injury or trauma with a break in the skin or skin wounds or abrasions 4 Insect bites and stings animal bites or human bites 5 Ulcers from certain diseases including diabetes and vascular disease 6 Use of corticosteroid medications or medications that suppress the immune system 7 Wound from a recent surgery 8 Previous erysipelas or cellulitis 9 Elderly age 10 Alcoholism 11 Intravenous drug use 12 Lymph edema 13 Obesity 14 Inflammatory dermatoses 15 Pregnancy Causative organisms Cellulitis Majority of infections that involve intact skin are believed to caused by streptococci although many other micro organisms may be responsible if the skin integrity is compromised Infrequently Gram negative bacteria anaerobes or fungi may produce cellulitis These organisms are frequent causes in children people with immuno compromised patients and in diabetes Cellulitis happening around surgical wounds less than 24 hours post operatively may result from group A beta hemolytic streptococci or Clostridium perfringens The latter produces gas gangrene resulting in crepitus on examination Erysipelas Majority of infections are with group A streptococci but Streptococcus pneumoniae Klebsiella pneumoniae Yersinia enterocolitica Hemophilus influenzae type b and Moraxella spp have been found Rarer causative organisms Infrequently cellulitis or erysipelas may be produced by other organisms 1 H influenzae type b in children less than 6 years of age 2 Pasteurella multocida Streptococcus anginosus formerly known as Streptococcus milleri and 3 Capnocytophaga canimorsus following cat or dog bites 4 Vibrio vulnificus Aeromonas hydrophila following sea or fresh water exposure 5 Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae in butchers vets or fish handlers 6 Mycobacterium marinum in aquarium keepers A Simple Guide To Cellulitis Diagnosis Treatment And Related Conditions A Simple Guide to Medical Conditions .