Brief Answer:
It is a infection of tissue.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome to health care magic,

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection involving the skin,specifically affects the dermis and subcutaneous fat.

The term used 'cellulitis' is actually a misnomer as it is the infection of a tissue and not merely of a cell.

Cellulitis is caused by most commonly Streptococci and staphylococci bacteria usually entered into the the skin by cut, abrasion,or break in the skin.

Most commonly cellulitis could occur following insect bite or piercing tattoo or animal bite or itchy skin rash or dermatitic skin or after injection (as a result of fluid extravasation).

Treatment:

In cases of cellulitis without draining wounds or abscess,

it should be treated with appropriate antibiotics with analgesics,anti-inflammatory and other supportive drugs.

The important medicine is the choice of antibiotic.

1) In mild cases of cellulitis (treatment as an outpatient basis):

Cloxacillin, amoxicillin, or cephalexin or cefadroxyl or cefixime

In patients who are allergic to penicillin:
Clindamycin or a macrolide (clarithromycin or azithromycin)

Doctors usually give an initial dose of parenteral antibiotic with a long half-life (eg, ceftriaxone) followed by an oral drugs for 5 to 7 days full course.

2) In case of severe cellulitis (characterised by fever,chills and other systemic symptoms),patients require parenteral (injectable) therapy, such as the following:

Cefazolin, cefuroxime, ceftriaxone for staphylococcal or streptococcal infection to be given for 5 to 7 days full course with other NSAIDs.

3) In case of any abscess formation, surgical debridement is also done.

Hope it will clear to you now that how to proceed in case of cellulitis.If you need any more clarification then feel free to ask me.

Consult general surgeon for further advice.

Thanks and Regards,

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