Simple First Aid Guide to Cellulitis
- Simon Francis
- Aug 20, 2023
- 3 min read
This simple first-aid guide to cellulitis by Dynamo Training Solutions details what cellulitis is, its prevalence, its signs, symptoms, and treatment.
What is cellulitis
Cellulitis is usually a bacterial infection involving the inner layers of the skin. It specifically affects the dermis and subcutaneous fat.
Cellulitis Statistics
Since cellulitis is not a reportable disease, the exact prevalence is uncertain; however, it is a relatively common infection affecting all racial and ethnic groups. Statistics sourced include:
There is a higher incidence of cellulitis in individuals older than 45 years old.
There is an incidence rate of 24.6 cases per 1000 persons for cellulitis.
In a large epidemiologic study about skin, soft tissue, joint, and bone infections, 37.3% of patients were identified as having cellulitis.
There are 32.1 to 48.1 visits per 1000 population for skin and soft tissue infections.
Visits for abscess and cellulitis increased from 17.3 to 32.5 visits per 1000 population.
Cellulitis was found to account for approximately 3% of emergency medical consultations in a general hospital in the United Kingdom.
Source Nurselabs
What causes cellulitis
The bacteria can infect the deeper layers of your skin if it's broken, for example, because of an insect bite or cut, or if it's cracked and dry. Sometimes the break in the skin is too small to notice.
You cannot catch cellulitis from another person, as it affects the deeper layers of the skin.
Who is at the most risk from cellulitis?
People most at risk include those who:
have poor circulation in your arms, legs, hands, or feet, for example, because you're overweight
find it difficult to move around
have a weakened immune system, for example, because of chemotherapy treatment or diabetes
have lymphoedema, which causes fluid build-up under the skin
inject drugs
have a wound from surgery
are obese
have had cellulitis before
skin dimpling
in severe cases, shaking, chills, fatigue, dizziness, and muscle aches are seen.
People who are more at risk of cellulitis should treat athlete's foot promptly.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Cellulitis makes your skin painful, hot, and swollen. The area usually looks red, but this may be less obvious on brown or black skin.
Your skin may also be blistered, and you can also have swollen, painful glands.
The area of redness is likely to increase in size over a few days. The borders of the area of redness are generally not sharp and the skin may well be swollen.
While the redness often turns white when pressure is applied, this is not always the case. The area of infection is usually painful. Lymphatic vessels may also occasionally be involved, and the person may have a fever and feel tired.
The most common sites are usually the legs and face, although cellulitis can occur on any part of the body, including:
Hands – causing swelling in your fingers or the back of your hand.
Feet – sometimes near the toes if you have athlete's foot.
Legs – usually the lower legs.
Eye – which is very serious. The white part of your eye may become red, but this does not always happen.
The bacteria most commonly involved are streptococci and Staphylococcus aureus.
How can a first aider help?
Attempting to prevent cellulitis is more favourable than trying to treat one. Here are some tips on how to prevent cellulitis from occurring.
Always clean thoroughly. Clean the break in your skin immediately and apply antibiotic ointment aseptically.
Apply a sterile covering. Cover the wound with a clean bandage and change it regularly until a scab forms.
Observe. Watch the affected site for signs of wound infection such as tenderness, discharges, and pain.
Professional treatment for cellulitis
For mild cellulitis affecting a small area of the skin, a doctor will prescribe antibiotic tablets – usually for a week.
Your symptoms might get worse in the first 48 hours of treatment, but then they should then start to improve.
Contact a GP if you do not start to feel better 2 to 3 days after starting antibiotics.
It's important to keep taking antibiotics until they're finished, even when you feel better.
Most people make a full recovery after 7 to 10 days.
If cellulitis is severe, you might be referred to a hospital for treatment.
Dynamo Training Solutions provide first aid training throughout London, Kent, and the South East.
Dynamo Training Solutions Simple First aid guide to Cellulitis is one of several simple first aid guides that have been produced by Dynamo Training Solutions.
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