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Getbig Main Boards => General Topics => Topic started by: Brixtonbulldog on November 02, 2008, 09:16:48 PM
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..am I going to die? :(
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Yes, it might take a few years, but eventually you will.
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..am I going to die? :(
Doesn't look very likely from cellulitus.
www.emedicinehealth.com
Cellulitis is a common infection of the skin and the soft tissues underneath the skin. It occurs when bacteria invade broken or normal skin and start to spread under the skin and into the soft tissues. This results in infection and inflammation. Inflammation is a process in which the body reacts to the bacteria. Inflammation may cause swelling, redness, pain, and/or warmth.
People at risk for developing cellulitis include those with trauma to the skin or other medical problems such as the following:
Diabetes
Circulatory problems such as inadequate blood flow to the limbs, poor venous or lymphatic drainage, or varicose veins
Liver disease such as chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis
Skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis, infectious diseases that cause skin lesions such as chickenpox, or severe acne
Cellulitis Causes
Injuries that break the skin
nfections related to a surgical procedure
Any breaks in the skin that allow bacteria to invade the skin (examples are chronic skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis)
Foreign objects in the skin
Infection of bone underneath the skin (An example is a long-standing open wound that is deep enough to expose the bone to bacteria. Sometimes this occurs in people with diabetes who have lost sensation in their feet.)
Cellulitis Symptoms
Cellulitis can occur in almost any part of the body. Most commonly it occurs in areas that have been damaged or are inflamed for other reasons, such as inflamed injuries, contaminated cuts, and areas with poor skin condition or bad circulation. The common symptoms of cellulitis are as follows:
Redness of the skin
Red streaking of the skin or broad areas of redness
Swelling
Warmth
Pain or tenderness
Drainage or leaking of yellow clear fluid or pus from the skin; large blisters may occur
Tender or swollen lymph nodes near the affected area
Fever can result if the condition spreads to the body via the blood
When to Seek Medical Care
Call your doctor if you have any of the following signs or symptoms of cellulitis:
Fevers or chills
Redness on the skin
Red streaks from skin
Increased warmth in the affected area
Swelling
Tenderness
Drainage from the skin
Go to the hospital's emergency department if you have any signs or symptoms of cellulitis, especially the following:
High fevers or chills
Nausea and vomiting
Obvious enlargement or hardening of the reddened area
Increasing pain
Numbness of the reddened or tender area when lightly touched
Other medical problems that may be affected by even a minor infectionCellulitis Treatment
Self-Care at Home
Rest the area of the body involved.
Elevate the area of the body involved. This will help decrease swelling and relieve discomfort.
Use over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin). This will decrease the pain as well as help keep the fever down.
Medical Treatment
If the infection is not too severe you can be treated at home. The doctor will give you a prescription for antibiotics to take by mouth for a week to 10 days.
The doctor may use intravenous (IV) or intramuscular antibiotics in these situations:
If the infection is severe
If you have other medical problems
If you are very young or very old
If the cellulitis involves extensive areas or areas close to important structures; for example, infection around the eye socket
If the infection worsens after taking antibiotics for two to three days
You may need hospitalization if the infection is well developed, extensive, or in an important area, like the face. In most of these cases, IV (intervenous) antibiotics need to be given until the infection is under good control (two to three days) and then you can be switched to oral medications to be taken at home.
Surgery
Rarely, severe infection may need surgery.
An abscess, or collection of pus in the tissue, may need to be opened surgically to allow drainage.
Dead tissue may need to be cut away to allow healing.
Next Steps
Follow-up
Once you leave the doctor's office, be sure to take all the antibiotics prescribed. DO NOT stop taking the antibiotics early, even if the infection seems to be gone. The doctor may want to see you in two to three days to see if the cellulitis is improving.
Prevention
It is very important to keep your skin clean by practicing good personal hygiene.
If you notice pain or discomfort from an area of the skin, check to see what it looks like. If it appears inflamed and progresses from one day to the next, you will most likely need treatment.
Avoid situations that may injure your skin, especially if you have swelling from circulatory problems.
Wear sturdy, well-fitting shoes or slippers with loose-fitting cotton socks. Avoid walking barefoot in areas where you do not have a good idea about what you are walking on, for example, in garages, on a littered beach, or in the woods.
If you do injure your skin, wash the area with soap and water and check to make sure that the injury is getting better over the next several days.
Certain injuries may be at greater risk for infection than others. You may need to take antibiotics to prevent infection or have other preventive care. Be sure to contact your doctor if you have injuries such as these:
Animal or human bites
Puncture injuries deeper than a half-inch, such as stepping on a nail
Crushed tissue that bleeds, burns that blister, frostbite, or deep injuries with dirt in them
Injuries in contact with sea water
Find out if you have diabetes or other significant medical conditions, such as liver or kidney disease. These conditions may be present without symptoms. Follow your doctor's instructions for management of these conditions.
Talk to your doctor if you have swelling in your limbs that does not go away.
Outlook
Most people respond to the antibiotics in two to three days and begin to show improvement. In rare cases, the cellulitis may progress to a serious illness by spreading through the bloodstream. Some forms of severe cellulitis may require surgery and leave a person with scarring. Rarely, cellulitis can be life-threatening.
Get well soon!
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Get some keflex (spelling?) & you'll be good to go within a week (two at the most).