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What is Cellulitis? Cellulitis is a skin & soft tissue infection (SSTI) caused by strep and/or staph bacteria entering your skin through a small opening. It impacts the skin and thetissue directly under it. Cellulitis is easily treatable with antibiotics.
Preventing cellulitis
Using new and sterile injection equipment, washing open wounds, and keeping wounds covered are the best ways to prevent cellulitis if you’re iinjecting drugs.
Look for color, temperature, and texture changes.
Skin that is impacted by cellulitis is often hot to the touch, red, or dimpled/rough in texture (like an orange peel). Someone with cellulitis may also have a fever.
Cellulitis or Abscess?
Abscesses can also be reddish and warm to the touch–so how do you tell the difference? With cellulitis, a lump won’t form under the skin, and abscesses generally don’t have an “orange peel”-like texture.
At the doctor
Most of the time, doctors will diagnose cellulitis by looking at it, but they may run further tests if they think it might be something else. You can ask them what tests they’re doing and why. Take all prescribed antibiotics, even if you’re feeling or looking better after a couple of days.
Repeat cellulitis
People who have had cellulitis once are more likely to get it again, often in the same area. In addition to keeping wounds washed and covered, some ways to prevent getting cellulitis again are:
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Self-treatment
Cellulitis is best treated by antibiotics, but if you can’t get to the doctor, be sure to keep the infected area clean (use alcohol or peroxide), moisturized (use petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment), and covered until you can see a medical professional.
Sources
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Wearing support stockings or socks if you have swelling in your legs Taking care of your feet, especially if you’re diabetic Keeping your fingernails as clean as you can Cutting back on smoking and/or drinking, if you can
American Academy of Dermatology Association (aad.org) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov) Chicago Recovery Alliance (anypositivechange.org) Sepsis Alliance (sepsis.org)
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