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Risks Factors and Causes of Cellulitis

Risks Factors

Anyone can get this common skin infection, and more people are at risk of this infection. These  include people who are:

  • Diabetic; the risk is higher if this disease is controlled poorly
  • Obese or overweight
  • Middle-aged
  • Older

All these conditions mentioned above decrease the ability of your body to fight off infection. It is advisable to reach out to a dermatologist Harley Street London if you have any of these health conditions.

Causes

The bacteria Streptococcus and Staphylococcus are responsible for causing the majority of cellulitis cases. Other bacteria can trigger this infection like the methicillin-resistant staph aureus.

Most of these bacteria stay on our skin without causing problems, but as soon they get inside the body, they become harmful and cause problems. The bacteria gets inside the body when you have an injury like a severe burn, abrasion, open sore, scratches, and cuts.

It can also enter into the body when you have eczema, dry skin, or athlete’s foot because people with these conditions have cracks on their feet, and the bacteria can go in through these cracks.

It is also possible to have deep cracks and skin injury and not develop the infection because your immune system is strong; this will help it destroy the bacteria.

Factors that Increase the Risk Factor for Cellulitis

You are at risk of developing cellulitis if you have any of the following mentioned below:

Diseases and Treatments: Some diseases and treatments can increase your chances of having cellulitis; the reason is they make it easier for bacteria to enter your body and weaken your immune system.

This makes it hard for your body to fight the bacteria. Some of the diseases are:

  • Recent surgery
  • Leg ulcer
  • Stasis dermatitis
  • Poor circulation of blood
  • Drugs taken to suppress the immune system after an organ transplant
  • Lymphedema
  • Long-term liver disease
  • Long-term kidney disease
  • HIV and AIDS
  • Poorly controlled diabetes
  • Corticosteroids
  • Chemotherapy
  • Previous cellulitis
  • Eczema
  • Athlete’s foot

People who have frequent skin injuries have higher chances of developing cellulitis than others. People in this category are:

  • Residents staying in a care facility for a long time
  • Athletes
  • Prisoners
  • Children
  • Military personnel on active duty
  • Drug abusers who use injections

Diagnosis of Cellulitis

There are medical procedures or tests to diagnose cellulitis; it is diagnosed by inspecting infected skin and asking questions. You should tell your doctor about medical problems you’ve had, recent injuries, and the medicines you take.

This will help your doctor to give you the right treatment and prevent future complications. Some patients might need a medical test to get a proper diagnosis, this can tell what germs are responsible for the infection, but it cannot diagnose cellulitis. You might be referred to a dermatologist London.

Cellulitis can look like other skin infections and conditions and dermatologists are well-trained in diagnosing lots of skin conditions that might look like cellulitis.

An accurate diagnosis will help heal your condition. You can also contact us or visit us at our office.