Cellulitis and erysipelas
What are the symptoms of cellulitis and erysipelas?
Cellulitis and erysipelas cause a large, red patch of inflamed skin. They can be very painful, but are usually easy to treat.
Cellulitis is an infection that causes red areas that feel hot and sore.
This patch is usually on your legs or arms, but it can appear anywhere.
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Source:
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Group A Streptococcal Infections. November 2005. Fact Sheet.
Available at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/strep.htm (accessed on 17 October 2008).
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Group A Streptococcal Infections. November 2005. Fact Sheet.
Available at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/strep.htm (accessed on 17 October 2008).
Source:
Clinical Resource Efficiency Support Team (CREST).
Guidelines on the management of cellulitis in adults.
June 2005. Available at http://www.crestni.org.uk (accessed on 8 January 2008).
Clinical Resource Efficiency Support Team (CREST).
Guidelines on the management of cellulitis in adults.
June 2005. Available at http://www.crestni.org.uk (accessed on 8 January 2008).
Source:
Kilburn S, et al.
Interventions for cellulitis and erysipelas. (Protocol) (Cochrane review).
In: The Cochrane Library. Update Software, Oxford, UK.
Kilburn S, et al.
Interventions for cellulitis and erysipelas. (Protocol) (Cochrane review).
In: The Cochrane Library. Update Software, Oxford, UK.
Source:
Swartz MN.
Cellulitis.
New England Journal of Medicine. 2004; 350: 904-912.
Swartz MN.
Cellulitis.
New England Journal of Medicine. 2004; 350: 904-912.
The affected area may get bigger and the patch of skin may blister.
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2
3
4
Source:
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Group A Streptococcal Infections. November 2005. Fact Sheet.
Available at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/strep.htm (accessed on 17 October 2008).
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Group A Streptococcal Infections. November 2005. Fact Sheet.
Available at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/strep.htm (accessed on 17 October 2008).
Source:
Clinical Resource Efficiency Support Team (CREST).
Guidelines on the management of cellulitis in adults.
June 2005. Available at http://www.crestni.org.uk (accessed on 8 January 2008).
Clinical Resource Efficiency Support Team (CREST).
Guidelines on the management of cellulitis in adults.
June 2005. Available at http://www.crestni.org.uk (accessed on 8 January 2008).
Source:
Kilburn S, et al.
Interventions for cellulitis and erysipelas. (Protocol) (Cochrane review).
In: The Cochrane Library. Update Software, Oxford, UK.
Kilburn S, et al.
Interventions for cellulitis and erysipelas. (Protocol) (Cochrane review).
In: The Cochrane Library. Update Software, Oxford, UK.
Source:
Swartz MN.
Cellulitis.
New England Journal of Medicine. 2004; 350: 904-912.
Swartz MN.
Cellulitis.
New England Journal of Medicine. 2004; 350: 904-912.
Some people get:
1
2
3
4
Source:
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Group A Streptococcal Infections. November 2005. Fact Sheet.
Available at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/strep.htm (accessed on 17 October 2008).
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Group A Streptococcal Infections. November 2005. Fact Sheet.
Available at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/strep.htm (accessed on 17 October 2008).
Source:
Clinical Resource Efficiency Support Team (CREST).
Guidelines on the management of cellulitis in adults.
June 2005. Available at http://www.crestni.org.uk (accessed on 8 January 2008).
Clinical Resource Efficiency Support Team (CREST).
Guidelines on the management of cellulitis in adults.
June 2005. Available at http://www.crestni.org.uk (accessed on 8 January 2008).
Source:
Kilburn S, et al.
Interventions for cellulitis and erysipelas. (Protocol) (Cochrane review).
In: The Cochrane Library. Update Software, Oxford, UK.
Kilburn S, et al.
Interventions for cellulitis and erysipelas. (Protocol) (Cochrane review).
In: The Cochrane Library. Update Software, Oxford, UK.
Source:
Swartz MN.
Cellulitis.
New England Journal of Medicine. 2004; 350: 904-912.
Swartz MN.
Cellulitis.
New England Journal of Medicine. 2004; 350: 904-912.
- Swollen
gland
A gland is any group of cells in the body that makes and releases something for use by another part of the body. For example, the thyroid gland makes a hormone called thyroxine. This acts on receptors within cells. By acting on the receptors it gives the cells a message to speed up their metabolism and work harder.glands near the infection - Flu-like symptoms with a
fever
If you have a fever, your body temperature is above 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). With a fever you often get other symptoms, such as shivering, headache or sweating. A fever is usually caused by an infection.fever and sometimes vomiting.
The main difference is that erysipelas affects the layers of skin nearer the surface. So the inflamed patch of skin may be
raised above the normal skin around it.
1
Source:
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Group A Streptococcal Infections. November 2005. Fact Sheet.
Available at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/strep.htm (accessed on 17 October 2008).
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Group A Streptococcal Infections. November 2005. Fact Sheet.
Available at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/strep.htm (accessed on 17 October 2008).
If your cellulitis is severe, you may also get
blood poisoning. Or the infection can spread or get worse, damaging skin over a wide area.
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blood poisoning
A severe infection in your blood is called blood poisoning or septicemia. Bacteria get into your blood and multiply quickly. Blood poisoning requires emergency treatment with antibiotics. The symptoms are fever, chills, low blood pressure, confusion and a rash. If it isn't treated quickly, it can cause serious damage to important parts of your body. And it may cause death.
A severe infection in your blood is called blood poisoning or septicemia. Bacteria get into your blood and multiply quickly. Blood poisoning requires emergency treatment with antibiotics. The symptoms are fever, chills, low blood pressure, confusion and a rash. If it isn't treated quickly, it can cause serious damage to important parts of your body. And it may cause death.
Source:
Clinical Resource Efficiency Support Team (CREST).
Guidelines on the management of cellulitis in adults.
June 2005. Available at http://www.crestni.org.uk (accessed on 8 January 2008).
Clinical Resource Efficiency Support Team (CREST).
Guidelines on the management of cellulitis in adults.
June 2005. Available at http://www.crestni.org.uk (accessed on 8 January 2008).
Sources for the information on this page:
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.Group A Streptococcal Infections. November 2005. Fact Sheet.Available at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/strep.htm (accessed on 17 October 2008).
- Clinical Resource Efficiency Support Team (CREST).Guidelines on the management of cellulitis in adults.June 2005. Available at http://www.crestni.org.uk (accessed on 8 January 2008).
- Kilburn S, et al.Interventions for cellulitis and erysipelas. (Protocol) (Cochrane review).In: The Cochrane Library. Update Software, Oxford, UK.
- Swartz MN.Cellulitis.New England Journal of Medicine. 2004; 350: 904-912.
This information was last updated on Nov 07, 2008
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.
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Source: ConsumerReportsHealth.org Copyright © 2005-2008 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.
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