This is the clinical picture that appears when there is an inflammation of the cell tissue under the skin (dermis and subcutaneous fat). It is a frequent condition, especially in middle-aged or elderly people.
It is usually caused by a bacterial infection. Often the infection starts in areas with broken or damaged skin: wounds, cuts, burns, etc.
It is characterised by redness, swelling, heat and pain in the affected area of skin. There may also be fever.
Diagnosis is clinical, reached through questioning and examination of the affected area. It may be necessary to perform cultures for microbiological studies.
Mild cases are treated with oral antibiotics, rest and elevation of the affected area. In severe cases, hospital admission, intravenous antibiotics and/or surgery may be required.
- Larry M Baddour, MD, FIDSA. Cellulitis and erysipelas. UpToDate, Agosto, 2016.
- Raff AB. Cellulitis: A Review. JAMA 2016; 316:325.
- McNamara DR. Incidence of lower-extremity cellulitis: a population-based study in Olmsted county, Minnesota. Mayo Clin Proc 2007; 82:817.
- Ellis Simonsen SM. Cellulitis incidence in a defined population. Epidemiol Infect 2006; 134:293.
- Dennis L. Stevens. Infecciones de la piel, músculo y tejidos blandos. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna, 19e. Capítulo 156.
