A Review Study on Cellulitis

Abstract

Cellulitis is a clinical condition which is characterised by reddishness, soreness, localized pain, erythema, swelling and formation of abscess in the leg, pyrexia and an increase in the heartbeat. It is the infection of the sub-cutaneous tissue and dermal layer usually found complicating a wound or ulcer. It is considered an infectious disease as it causes morbidity and mortality. It is also called skin diseases, as the skin is involved and lacks sharp demarcation from uninvolved skin. Cellulitis spreads rapidly and is pyogenic in nature and is frequently associated with lymphangitis and fever. Streptococci (streptococci pyogenes) and staphylococcus aureus are the two species which causes cellulitis. Five types of cellulitis can be classified they are facial cellulitis, periorbital cellulitis, breast cellulitis, perianal cellulitis. Diagnosis of cellulitis is based on morphological features of the lesion and a CT scan is required for determining cellulitis. By the visual inspection, the cellulitis is spotted. The common risk factor for cellulitis is oedema. If the cellulitis patient has Diabetes Mellitus or injury in the skin or any inflammation in the liver, they are considered to be in a dangerous state. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs are prescribed to decrease the clinical features. Clindamycin, Dicloxacillin are antibiotics that are administered to cure cellulitis. This review discusses the general information regarding cellulitis, its clinical indications, pathophysiology, microbiology and its treatment.