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How do you treat Group A streptococcal infection?
Can cellulitis prevent a strep infection?
What is a group A streptococcal infection?
Feb 16, 2024 · Treatment and recovery. Healthcare providers treat cellulitis with antibiotics. They can be oral antibiotics (medicine taken by mouth) or intravenous (IV) antibiotics (medicine given directly into a vein). Healthcare providers use oral antibiotics to treat most cellulitis infections. IV antibiotics can be used to treat more serious infections.
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Cellulitis usually occurs on one side of the body. Its signs and symptoms may include:
•An irritated area of skin that tends to expand
•Swelling
•Tenderness
•Pain
•Warmth
It's important to identify and treat cellulitis early because the condition can spread rapidly throughout your body.
Seek emergency care if:
•You have a swollen, tender rash or a rash that's changing rapidly
•You have a fever
See your health care provider, preferably within the same day, if:
•You have a rash that's swollen, tender and warm — and it's expanding — but you don't have a fever
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Cellulitis is caused when bacteria, most commonly streptococcus and staphylococcus, enter through a crack or break in the skin. The incidence of a more serious staphylococcus infection called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is increasing.
Cellulitis can occur anywhere on the body, but the most common location is the lower leg. Bacteria are most likely to enter broken, dry, flaky or swollen skin, such as through a recent surgical site, cuts, puncture wounds, ulcers, athlete's foot or dermatitis.
Several factors increase the risk of cellulitis:
•Injury. Any cut, fracture, burn or scrape gives bacteria an entry point.
•Weakened immune system. Conditions that weaken the immune system — such as diabetes, leukemia and HIV/AIDS — increase the risk of infection. Certain medications also can weaken the immune system.
•Skin conditions. Conditions such as atopic dermatitis (eczema), athlete's foot and shingles can cause breaks in the skin, which give bacteria an entry point.
•Long-term (chronic) swelling of the arms or legs (lymphedema). This condition sometimes happens after surgery.
•History of cellulitis. Having had cellulitis before increases the risk of getting it again.
Untreated cellulitis might lead to bacteremia, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, toxic shock syndrome or sepsis. Rarely, the infection can spread to the deep layer of tissue called the fascial lining. Necrotizing fasciitis is an example of a deep-layer infection. It's an extreme emergency.
Recurrent episodes of cellulitis may damage the lymphatic drainage system and cause chronic swelling of the affected limb.
If your cellulitis recurs, your health care provider may recommend preventive antibiotics. To help prevent cellulitis and other infections, take these precautions when you have a skin wound:
•Wash the wound daily with soap and water. Do this gently as part of your normal bathing.
•Ask your health care provider whether it would help to apply a protective cream or ointment. For most surface wounds, a nonprescription ointment (Vaseline, Polysporin, others) provides adequate protection.
•Cover the wound with a bandage. Change bandages at least daily.
•Watch for signs of infection. Irritation, pain and pus all signal possible infection and the need for medical care.
People with diabetes or poor circulation need to take extra precautions to prevent skin injury. Good skin care includes the following:
Nov 28, 2023 · Staphylococcus (staph) infections are sometimes called “purulent cellulitis,” as pus, fluid, or abscesses are often among the symptoms. Streptococcus: Streptococcus pyogenes is one of the most ...
Guide. Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and soft tissues typically caused by staphylococci (“staph”) or streptococci (“strep”) bacteria. It is usually mild and not contagious. However, when it sometimes affects the leg or spreads to other parts of the body, it can be serious. Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and ...
May 2, 2022 · Skin infection symptoms. Symptoms that affect the skin from a group A streptococcal infection include: Rash on your neck, underarms or groin. Small, red to purple sores on the nose, mouth, arms and legs. Itchy skin. Sores that leak a clear to yellow fluid or pus. Crusty yellow scabs form over the sores.
Nov 20, 2023 · When this common skin infection affects the lower leg, symptoms can persist for days after successful antibiotic treatment. By Julie Corliss, Executive Editor, Harvard Heart Letter. Cellulitis is an infection of the deep layers of the skin. It develops when bacteria enter through a cut, bite, or wound — including tiny breaks in cracked, dry skin.
