Cellulitis history and symptoms
|
Cellulitis Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Cellulitis history and symptoms On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Cellulitis history and symptoms |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Cellulitis history and symptoms |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Aditya Govindvarjhulla, M.B.B.S.
Overview
Cellulitis is most often a clinical diagnosis, and local cultures do not always identify the causative organism. Blood cultures are usually positive only if the patient develops generalized sepsis. Conditions that may resemble cellulitis include deep vein thrombosis, and stasis dermatitis.
History and Symptoms
History
Patients presenting with cellulitis often have a recent history of an injury in the affected area. Cellulitis can develop from neglected minor injuries that have become infected. The disease generally takes days after the initial injury to present, but it can progress rapidly in severe cases. [1] [2]
Co-morbid conditions are the most important factors to be looked at when cellulitis has developed. History of diabetes mellitus, kidney disease, liver disease, HIV infection, or any other immunodeficient conditions are to be inquired about and noted in the patient's history.
History of other skin diseases such as any fungal infections, dermatitis, and venous insufficiency are to be obtained because they may have served as an entry point for the pathogen.
Past surgical history is also an important factor in determining the cause of a patient's cellulitis. Previous history of any lymph node dissection may be a risk factor because it points to an underlying condition that predisposes a person to infection. [3]
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
- Fever
- Pain or tenderness in the affected area
- Skin redness or inflammation that gets bigger as the infection spreads
- Skin sore or rash that starts suddenly, and grows quickly in the first 24 hours
- Tight, glossy, "stretched" appearance of the skin
- Warm skin in the the area of redness
- Signs of infection:
- Warm skin
- Sweating
- Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Bailey E, Kroshinsky D (2011). "Cellulitis: diagnosis and management". Dermatol Ther. 24 (2): 229–39. doi:10.1111/j.1529-8019.2011.01398.x. PMID 21410612.
- ↑ Bystritsky R, Chambers H (2018). "Cellulitis and Soft Tissue Infections". Ann Intern Med. 168 (3): ITC17–ITC32. doi:10.7326/AITC201802060. PMID 29404597.
- ↑ Ortiz-Lazo E, Arriagada-Egnen C, Poehls C, Concha-Rogazy M (2019). "An Update on the Treatment and Management of Cellulitis". Actas Dermosifiliogr. 110 (2): 124–130. doi:10.1016/j.ad.2018.07.010. PMID 30390916.
- ↑ Gunderson CG (2011). "Cellulitis: definition, etiology, and clinical features". Am J Med. 124 (12): 1113–22. doi:10.1016/j.amjmed.2011.06.028. PMID 22014791.
- ↑ Raff AB, Kroshinsky D (2016). "Cellulitis: A Review". JAMA. 316 (3): 325–37. doi:10.1001/jama.2016.8825. PMID 27434444.