| Cellulitis is a fairly common type of skin infection. This | | | | Since the blood travels throughout the body, the |
| infection is usually caused by either a Staphylococcus | | | | infection could extend to other body parts and |
| or Streptococcus bacteria. The bacteria enter the | | | | organs as well. Apart from spreading via the |
| skin through cuts, wounds, bruises, surgical incisions or | | | | bloodstream, cellulitis spread could also be the result |
| other causes that disrupt the integrity of the skin | | | | of the infection affecting nearby or adjacent organs. |
| barrier. | | | | For example, cellulitis in the exterior eyelid could |
| Is cellulitis dangerous? | | | | spread to the nearest organ which is the eyeball. |
| When cellulitis is localized to the skin, it is rarely | | | | Since the eye is a vital organ, the person will be |
| dangerous. The infection will cause local skin irritation, | | | | greatly affected due to the spread of infection. |
| pain, redness and swelling but will likely stop with | | | | When cellulitis has spread, it becomes difficult to |
| these. Cellulitis is not actually a life-threatening | | | | treat. |
| condition. However, fatal cellulitis can occur when the | | | | How can you keep cellulitis from reaching a |
| infection enters the bloodstream. | | | | life-threatening state? |
| How can cellulitis spread? | | | | The best way to avoid getting cellulitis is still |
| Cellulitis can spread when the infection penetrates | | | | prevention through proper hygiene and skin care. |
| deeper skin structures. Usually, the first structure | | | | Avoid adding trauma to your skin and consult a |
| affected is the fascia, a shiny membrane covering | | | | physician if a cut or break in the skin causes |
| and protecting the muscle fibers. When cellulitis | | | | symptoms of infection. Be aware of the signs and |
| reaches the deeper fascial layers, it can cause | | | | symptoms of infection such as redness, itching, |
| necrosis or “death” of the muscle tissue. | | | | swelling, pain, fever and a loss or decrease in body |
| Cellulitis can also spread through the bloodstream. | | | | function of the infected part. Take antibiotics as |
| When local skin cuts go deeper, the bacteria causing | | | | ordered by your doctor and always keep a healthy |
| the cellulitis may join the blood and multiply there. | | | | lifestyle. |
| This could lead to poisoning of the blood in a sense. | | | | |