What Is Cellulitis? Cellulitis is a skin disease caused by bacteria, and if not treated appropriately, it can be even fatal. In cellulitis, the skin becomes red with swelling and causes pain. The bacterium enters the body through an open part of the skin - a cut, sore or bite. If the bacterial infection is not controlled, it penetrates deep into the lymph nodes or into the bloodstream. Cellulitis is more likely to occur in people, such as the elderly, the people with diabetes or people with weak immune systems. Cellulitis causes: Cellulitis is caused by bacteria that can be of more than one type. The most common bacteria that spread cellulitis are Streptococcus and Staphylococcus. Any cut or sore and even healing skin can be the entry point of bacteria causing cellulitis. Some types of insect bites can also spread to bacteria, causing cellulitis.
Cellulitis symptoms
Cellulitis can happen anywhere in the body, but the most commonly affected areas are the face and the outer open ends of the body. Symptoms of cellulitis are:
- Skin inflammation
- Pain and fragile condition
- Tightness of skin
- Fever and muscle pain.
- A red spot or layer appears on the skin above the infected area.
- Blisters
- Cellulitis and diabetes: People with diabetes are only weakened by the immune system, which makes them more prone to foot ulcers. Due to ulcers in the soles, they act as an entry point for bacteria that spread cellulitis. Diseases that affect the blood, such as varicose veins, are also a risk factor for bacterial infections such as cellulitis.
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Cellulitis Diet
- Vitamin C intake accelerates the speed of healing of cellulitis. Fruits rich in vitamin C, antioxidants include grapefruit, oranges, strawberries, tomatoes, kiwi and cantaloupe.
- Citrus fruits, grapes, and berries contain potent botanical compounds, called flavonoids, that have a positive effect on the symptoms of cellulitis.
- Vegetables such as green and paprika, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, boiled potatoes, yam and winter squash (a type of pumpkin) are excellent sources of vitamin C.
- Sunflower seeds, almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts, and pine nuts, etc. and dry fruits such as almonds and peanut butter have abundant amounts of vitamin E.
- Since cellulitis is an infection caused by bacteria, the use of yoghurt helps in removing the cellulitis-causing bacteria.
- Garlic is a robust anti-bacterial substance and assists in combating bacterial infections.
- Avoid these: Cheese, processed meats, butter and margarine, make the inflammation worse.
- Cellulitis exercise: Walking at a brisk pace for thirty minutes every day, 45-45 minutes of swimming or water exercises twice a week, and 15 minutes of abdominal-hip exercises are useful.
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Cellulitis home remedies
- Drink plenty of water.
- Keep the affected area lifted, as it helps reduce swelling and pain.
- Take more rest. It gives your body a chance to fight against infection.
- Cover the wound with a cotton dressing instead of a band-aid.
- Cellulitis treatment: Antibiotics used for the treatment of cellulitis depend on the state of infection spread. Hospitalization may also be advised. If the infection is mild, antibiotic pills are given, and follow-up is done continuously.
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