In this video Doctor O’Donovan explains key things you need to know about a common, but potentially serious, skin infection called CELLULITIS. We cover causes, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment of cellulitis.
What is Cellulitis?
Cellulitis is a skin infection that’s treated with antibiotics. It can be serious if it’s not treated quickly. It can affect anyone but can be more common in certain individuals, for example people with diabetes.
Where can cellulitis affect and what are symptoms of cellulitis?
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.
You can get cellulitis on any part of your body, such as your hands, feet, legs and even eyes (orbital cellulitis).
What is treatment for cellulitis?
Treatment of cellulitis will involve your doctor prescribing antibiotics.
When to seek urgent medical attention for cellulitis:
If you have suspected cellulitis and if you have:a very high temperature, or you feel hot and shiverya fast heartbeat or fast breathingpurple patches on your skin, but this may be less obvious on brown or black skinfeeling dizzy or faintconfusion or disorientationcold, clammy or pale skinunresponsiveness or loss of consciousness
This is an educational resource only and should NEVER replace medical advice from your own health provider.****************
