Infectious cellulitis is a bacterial infection that affects the skin before spreading to other parts of the body. However, you can minimize the risk of getting it by taking simple steps to take care of your wounds and skin. If you get hurt, wash the affected area with water and keep it covered. If you experience frequent irritation, consult a doctor for other treatments. Although infectious cellulite is a serious condition, it is actually quite rare, so taking precautions goes a long way in maintaining healthy skin.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Treating a Wound
Step 1. Determine when to treat a wound
Small, superficial wounds can usually be cleaned and treated at home. However, if the lesion continues to bleed or is in a delicate area, such as the eye, it is best to seek medical attention. Also see your doctor if the wound starts to secrete fluids or if you get a fever.
Going to the doctor is preferable if the wound was caused by a potentially contaminated object. For example, if you step on a rusty nail, tetanus and other treatments may be required
Step 2. Wash the wound with soap and water
Skin abrasions and cuts can be contaminated with dangerous bacteria, leading to the risk of contracting infectious cellulite. Wash the affected area with lukewarm tap water immediately after getting the injury. Gently soap the wound and rinse it off with plenty of water. Wash the affected area at least once a day until completely healed.
- Do you have any doubts about the quality of tap water? Use bottled water.
- If you don't have access to water, massaging the wound surface with an alcohol wipe, pouring isopropyl alcohol, or even applying a hand sanitizer can help disinfect it. Then, wash it with soap and water as soon as you get the chance.
Step 3. Apply antibacterial ointment to the wound
Coat the affected area with an antibacterial cream, which you can apply using a cotton swab. Repeat the procedure once a day until complete healing. For superficial wounds an over-the-counter cream will work. For deep ones, instead, you need to contact a doctor, in order to be prescribed a more effective ointment.
Follow the instructions on the package carefully. Topical medicines can sometimes slow healing in case of excessive use
Step 4. Cover the wound with a clean bandage or plaster
After washing the affected area, place a clean bandage on it and secure it with medical tape. You can also use a patch. Change your bandage or patch as soon as it gets dirty or at least twice a day. This will prevent the wound from becoming contaminated with bacteria, preventing the risk of contracting infectious cellulite.
- Let the wound breathe for at least an hour after changing the bandage or patch. In the meantime, keep it clean and avoid doing any activity that could expose it to dirt or germs.
- Stop using bandages and plasters as soon as the wound stops secreting fluids. Alternatively, wait for the scab to begin to form and the skin to regenerate.
Step 5. See a doctor at the first symptoms of infection
If you notice that an area of the skin is constantly red and hot to the touch, it is possible that it has become infected. Monitor wounds for discolouration, pus, or clear / reddish discharge. Act immediately if you notice these red flags, as it is easier to treat an infection at the first signs.
- In addition, it is important to act promptly because certain skin infections, such as athlete's foot, are contagious.
- Your doctor will likely clean the wound again and prescribe an oral or topical antibiotic.
Step 6. Go to the emergency room if the situation gets worse
If you see an expanding rash or have a fever, it is possible that infectious cellulitis is developing or getting worse. Since the most aggressive forms of cellulite can turn into sepsis quite quickly, going to the emergency room is essential at this stage. Instead, if you have a rash that is not accompanied by fever, see your primary care physician.
If the doctor who visits you in the emergency room fears that it is a case of infectious cellulitis, he is likely to have you hospitalized to keep it under control and treat it in a targeted manner
Method 2 of 3: Maintain Healthy Skin
Step 1. Learn to identify the symptoms of infectious cellulitis
Skin affected by cellulite can become red and swollen. Fever or chills are other possible red flags. Lymph nodes (in the neck and elsewhere) may swell and feel painful to the touch.
Run your hands over the skin. If you feel the presence of small, rounded bumps under the skin (called papules), this is also a possible alarm bell
Step 2. Keep your skin hydrated
Massage a moisturizer into your skin before going to bed. Dress your legs and feet carefully. Good quality creams leave the skin plump and hydrated, but not greasy. Look for a product containing vitamin B3 and amino peptides. Moisturized skin is less likely to crack or break. It is also healthier and can fight minor infections (such as eczema), which can cause cellulite, more effectively.
- Wear socks after applying the cream to keep your feet even more hydrated.
- Moisturizing lotions are lighter than creams. Choose this product if you want to moisturize your skin even during the day. It is preferable to apply the creams before going to bed and in case of particularly dry skin. Look for a non-comedogenic product (that doesn't clog pores).
- Consult a dermatologist before applying these products in case your skin already has cracks. He will be able to prescribe you a targeted cream.
Step 3. Eat a nutrient-rich diet
Fill the plate with fresh fruit and vegetables. Ask your doctor to order a full vitamin test to make sure you are getting enough. In particular, vitamins C and E help fight infectious cellulite, so make sure the values are correct.
- Almonds, peanuts, salmon and avocado are excellent sources of vitamin E. Strawberries, watermelon and pineapple are excellent sources of vitamin C.
- Your doctor may ask you to take supplements if your diet prevents you from getting enough nutrients.
Step 4. Try to drink at least eight glasses of water a day
The skin needs water to stay hydrated. Hydrated skin is much less likely to crack or become infected. The eight glasses a day rule is easy to remember and adaptable to most people.
Step 5. Avoid exposing your skin to irritants
If you use an exfoliating cream or mask, apply it a maximum of two or three times a week, otherwise you risk drying out the skin, which forms a protective barrier. Always apply a sunscreen before going out in the sun. Reduce contact with abrasives (such as chemical ingredients in detergents) by wearing gloves.
Step 6. Take a prescription antibiotic
Your doctor may prescribe an oral antibiotic for infectious cellulitis. In some cases they opt for hospitalization, administering antibiotics intravenously. Treatments with oral medications usually take at least two weeks, while intravenous antibiotics can be given until complete recovery. Make sure you follow any directions given to you to the letter.
Method 3 of 3: Minimize Risk Factors
Step 1. Get targeted treatment if you suffer from an underlying or related disease
If you have a skin condition, such as eczema, see a dermatologist to treat it. It is important to efficiently treat all skin diseases or disorders, as they make the body more vulnerable to infectious cellulite. If your dermatologist prescribes a medication for your condition, such as an antibiotic cream, use it as directed.
Step 2. Look closely at wounds if you have a compromised immune system
At the end of the day, sit on the bed or look in the mirror. Examine the skin, paying particular attention to the lower body area. Assess for cuts, blisters, or other wounds.
Examine your feet especially if you have diabetes or circulation problems. Cracks due to dry skin and minor infections can open and become contaminated with dangerous bacteria
Step 3. Look carefully at all incisions of a surgical nature
If you have had surgery, examine cuts or punctures at least every two hours for the first few days. Ask your doctor to tell you how often to perform these checks. Consider whether there are any red rashes, noticeable veins, pus, or discharge in the area of the incision.
Step 4. Use clothing and equipment that can protect you when engaging in outdoor activities
Cellulite is often due to accidental injuries that occur while gardening, cycling, hiking, playing a sport, skating, or engaging in other activities. Try to cover all vulnerable body parts when you spend time outdoors. Gloves, heavy shoes, helmets, shin guards, waterproof footwear, long-sleeved shirts and trousers provide extra protection.
Step 5. Avoid getting bitten
When the skin is bitten by a spider, insect, dog, human or other living thing, the risk of it becoming infected increases. Wash the puncture wound or bite immediately with water. Seek medical attention if the injury looks deep or was caused by a poisonous creature.
- If red streaks appear from the wound, then the infection is spreading. It doesn't always turn into cellulite, but it is possible that it happens.
- For example, if you need to reach into a dark outdoor space, such as a backyard closet, wear gloves to avoid getting bitten by a spider.
Step 6. Be careful when swimming in lakes, rivers or oceans
Do not enter the water if you see a sign prohibiting it. Avoid swimming in stagnant or murky water. Take a warm shower immediately after swimming to get rid of any remaining germs on the surface. Be careful not to cut yourself in the water, otherwise bacteria can contaminate the wound.
Step 7. Contact a nutritionist to achieve your target weight
The extra pounds can increase the predisposition to suffer from infectious cellulite on a recurring basis. Make an appointment with a nutritionist to check your current weight to understand how it affects your chances of getting infections and your overall health. If you are overweight, the nutritionist will devise a suitable plan to improve your health. He also works with a personal trainer to achieve a healthy weight.
Advice
- Wash your hands before and after touching a wound to prevent the spread of bacteria.
- Avoid sharing personal care items, such as razors. This way you will lower the risk of getting infections and cellulite.
Warnings
- When cutting your nails, try not to cut the skin of the nail bed.
- Intravenous drugs represent a risk factor for infectious cellulitis. Illegal drugs can also damage the immune system.
