What Is Involved in a Cellulitis Diagnosis?
Cellulitis is a widespread, diffuse, purulent inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by Staphylococcus aureus, hemolytic streptococcus, or saprophytic bacteria.
- Also known as
- Cellulitis
- English name
- cellulitis
- Visiting department
- Surgery, dermatology
- Common causes
- Staphylococcus aureus, hemolytic streptococcus, saprophytic bacteria
- Common symptoms
- The skin of the affected area was severely painful, showing diffuse redness, cold, and fever
- Contagious
- no
Basic Information
Cellulitis Pathology
- The dermis and subcutaneous tissue have extensive, acute, and purulent inflammation changes, the hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands are all destroyed, and granulomas are formed in the later stage.
Clinical manifestations of cellulitis
- The skin of the affected area was severely painful, showing diffuse redness and swelling, and the state was unclear. There could be significant swollen edema, which was a hard lump at the beginning, and the central part became soft and ulcerated to form an ulcer. It became scarred in about 2 weeks. There may be systemic symptoms such as chills and fever, and some patients may develop lymphadenitis, lymphangitis, gangrene, and sepsis. Orbital cellulitis is a severe cellulitis.
Cellulitis diagnosis
- According to the unclear redness and swelling on the skin, there are spontaneous pain and tenderness, and the center can be diagnosed by softening, fluctuations and ulceration.
Differential diagnosis of cellulitis
- It should be distinguished from erysipelas, which is a clear inflammatory erythema with shallow lesions and mild infiltration.
Cellulitis Treatment
- Systemic treatment
- Patients should be strengthened in nutrition, given multiple vitamins orally, and if necessary, analgesics and antipyretics. High-dose antibiotics must be applied early.
- Local treatment
- Hot compresses can be applied locally, and the affected limb should be reduced in activity. Ultraviolet or ultra-short wave physical therapy can also be used. After the abscess is formed, incision and drainage need to be performed and the dressing changed daily.