Cellulitis

Gambaran umum

Cellulitis is a common bacterial infection of the deeper layers of your skin. It makes the skin red, swollen, hot, and painful. It usually happens on your legs, but can appear anywhere on your body. Cellulitis is not the same as cellulite (the bumpy fat under the skin).

Yes, cellulitis is a common skin infection. It affects many people each year, especially adults over 45 years old.

Cellulitis can happen to anyone, but it's more common in people who have a weakened immune system, diabetes, or skin problems like eczema. It also affects people who have recently had surgery or a skin injury.

Gejala

Gejala umum

• Redness and swelling of the skin that spreads quickly
• Warmth in the affected area
• Pain or tenderness
• Fever (temperature above 38°C or 100.4°F)
• Chills and feeling unwell
• Blisters or a 'peau d'orange' (orange-peel) look on the skin

Gejala pada anak-anak

• Fussiness or irritability
• Redness and swelling, often on the face or legs
• Fever and chills
• Crying when the area is touched

Gejala pada lansia

• Confusion or feeling very tired
• Redness and swelling may be less obvious but pain is still present
• Fever or low body temperature
• Loss of appetite

Penyebab

Penyebab utama

• Bacteria (like streptococcus or staphylococcus) entering through a cut, scrape, insect bite, surgical wound, or cracked skin
• Pre-existing skin conditions like athlete's foot or eczema that let bacteria in

Faktor risiko

• Having a weakened immune system (from chemotherapy, HIV, or medications like steroids)
• Diabetes, especially if blood sugar is not well controlled
• Being overweight (obesity)
• Having lymphedema (swelling from damaged lymph vessels)
• Having had cellulitis before
• Poor blood circulation in your legs (like from varicose veins)

Kapan harus ke dokter

Segera temui dokter jika:

• You have a fever or chills along with skin redness and swelling
• The redness is spreading quickly or getting worse
• You have a chronic condition like diabetes and think you have cellulitis

Buat janji temu rutin jika:

• You have a small area of redness that is not getting better after 2 days of home care
• You have symptoms of cellulitis but are otherwise well

Diagnosis

A doctor will diagnose cellulitis by looking at your skin and asking about your symptoms and medical history. They can often tell it's cellulitis based on the redness, swelling, warmth, and pain.

Tes yang mungkin dilakukan

• Blood tests to check for infection and how your body is responding
• A swab of any fluid or wound to find out which bacteria is causing the infection
• Sometimes an ultrasound or other imaging if the infection is deep or if there is swelling

Apa yang diharapkan saat janji temu

The doctor will examine the red area and check your temperature. They may mark the edge of the redness with a pen to see if it spreads. You might have blood taken or a swab. Most people are diagnosed quickly and start treatment the same day.

Perawatan

Cellulitis is treated with antibiotics to kill the bacteria. Most people take antibiotics by mouth for 7 to 10 days. For more serious infections, you may need antibiotics through a needle in a vein (intravenous or IV) in the hospital. Resting and elevating the infected area helps reduce swelling.

Perawatan mandiri di rumah

• Rest and raise the affected limb (for example, on pillows) to ease swelling
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
• Take over-the-counter pain relief like paracetamol or ibuprofen for fever and discomfort (check with your doctor first)
• Keep the skin clean and dry, but do not use any creams or ointments unless prescribed

Perawatan medis

Your doctor will prescribe antibiotic tablets or liquid. It's important to finish the whole course, even if you feel better. For severe cases, you may need to stay in the hospital for IV antibiotics. Your doctor may also treat any underlying skin conditions, like athlete's foot, to prevent it from happening again.

Kapan operasi dipertimbangkan?

Surgery is rarely needed for cellulitis. However, if an abscess (a pocket of pus) forms, a doctor may need to drain it with a small procedure.

Hidup dengan kondisi ini

During treatment, rest as much as you can and keep the infected area raised. It may take a few days for the redness and swelling to start going down. Finish all your antibiotics, even if you feel better. The skin may peel or be flaky as it heals – this is normal.

Tips gaya hidup

• Check your skin daily for any cuts, blisters, or redness, especially on your feet and legs
• Moisturise dry skin to prevent cracks that can let bacteria in
• Wear protective footwear and gloves when gardening or doing DIY

Diet dan olahraga

There is no special diet for cellulitis, but eating a balanced diet with enough protein and vitamins helps your body heal. Gentle activity, like walking, is fine as long as you rest the affected area. Avoid heavy exercise that might strain the area.

Kesehatan mental dan kesejahteraan emosional

Having cellulitis can be worrying, especially if it's painful or keeps coming back. It's normal to feel anxious or frustrated. Talk to your doctor or a counsellor if you feel overwhelmed.

Pencegahan

Yes, many cases can be prevented. Keep your skin clean and moisturised. Treat cuts, scrapes, and bites quickly with antiseptic and a clean bandage. Manage long-term conditions like diabetes and eczema well. If you have athlete's foot, treat it promptly to prevent cracks between your toes.

Komplikasi

Jika tidak diobati

• The infection can spread deeper into your body, causing a serious bloodstream infection (sepsis)
• An abscess may form that needs draining
• In rare cases, the infection can affect your lymph vessels (lymphangitis) or spread to bones and joints

Prospek jangka panjang

With prompt antibiotic treatment, most people with cellulitis recover fully within a week or two. The outlook is very good. If you have recurrent cellulitis, your doctor can suggest ways to reduce the risk. Serious complications are rare when treated early.

Cari dukungan

Organisasi internasional

• DermNet NZ ↗
• World Health Organization (WHO) ↗

Organisasi lokal

• NHS – Cellulitis ↗ · United Kingdom
• British Skin Foundation ↗ · United Kingdom

Saluran bantuan

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