Looking Out For Cellulitis Symptoms

Cellulitis affects around a fourth of the whole population and its symptoms highly depend on its severity. Cellulitis is sometimes confused for other conditions, since its symptoms are very similar to those found in many other skin conditions. Furthermore, skin conditions such as minor bacterial infection in the skin may or may not be related to cellulitis. This is one reason why some individuals who do have cellulitis fail to treat the condition accordingly. Let’s talk about cellulitis symptoms and the importance of proper diagnosis.

Non-severe Cellulitis

The symptoms for mild or non-severe cellulitis include redness, swelling, warmth, itchiness soreness, pain and generally an inflammation on the skin. Skin with non-severe cellulitis often appears as reddish in color with bumps. Bacterial infection is one of the main symptoms of cellulitis and is a cause or determinant of the condition. Cellulitis can very much resemble rashes and many other skin conditions—this is why you need to have proper diagnosis if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.

Severe Cellulitis

Worse cases of cellulitis carry additional symptoms that can be more severe. A person with severe cellulitis may experience chills, fevers, shaking, and inflammation of the lymph nodes. If left untreated, the condition can result in an impaired immune system or death.

Types of Cellulitis

One should be aware that cellulitis could occur anywhere on the body and regardless of your age, sex, and race. Cellulitis symptoms typically appear on the leg, however, it can appear on the breasts and even on the eyes. Here are the types of cellulitis:

• Facial Cellulitis

• Leg Cellulitis

• Breast Cellulitis

• Perianal Cellulitis (bacterial infection occurring around the anal orifice)

• Orbital Cellulitis (bacterial infection occurring in the eye)

• Periorbital Cellulitis (bacterial infection occurring around the eyelid)

All these types of cellulitis all carry similar or the same symptoms including redness, swelling, pain, itchiness, soreness, and warmth. However, some types of cellulitis such as facial cellulitis, perianal cellulitis, and orbital cellulitis may have more specific symptoms such as permanent vision impairment (as in the case of orbital cellulitis). After being diagnosed for cellulitis by a doctor for the first time, you may be referred to other doctors for further examination. For instance, if symptoms occur in or around the eyes, you may be referred to an ophthalmologist.

Symptoms Related To Other Conditions

There are predisposing factors and other health conditions linked to cellulitis. Thus, if you are diagnosed with any of these conditions, symptoms that have been analyzed might also indicate cellulitis, which must be treated as early as possible. On the other hand, the existing health condition may also require treatment in order to treat cellulitis as well. Diabetics are at higher risk of having cellulitis because of their high susceptibility to many skin conditions. A diabetic suffering from any symptom found on the skin may be diagnosed for cellulitis. Other symptoms related to cellulitis include ulcers, abscesses, and osteomyelitis.

In short, the symptoms of cellulitis can be easily confused for symptoms of other skin conditions. However, cellulitis symptoms are just as typical as most skin problems and can be analyzed and determined right away by a healthcare professional during a diagnosis.