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Cellulitis: How to treat recurrent episodes
By Mayo Clinic staffOriginal Article: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cellulitis/AN01418
- With Mayo Clinic dermatologist
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Dr. Lawrence Gibson likens bad health information on the Internet to food poisoning.
Consumers, he says, need to be aware and will find reliable information at MayoClinic.com.
Dr. Gibson, a Covington, Ky., native, has been with Mayo Clinic since 1986 and is board certified in dermatology, dermatopathology and immunodermatology. He is a professor of dermatology at Mayo Medical School and a consultant in the Department of Dermatology.
Dr. Gibson has served as the fellowship director for dermatopathology and as chair of the Laboratory Division in the Department of Dermatology. He is especially interested in inflammatory disorders of the skin, including vasculitis, and in lymphoma affecting the skin.
"Electronic information has become a staple in the diet of a health conscious society," he says. "It's important to avoid misinformation and provide a credible source for health information. Using this analogy, it's critical to avoid 'indigestion' or, worse yet, 'food poisoning' by the ingestion of tainted information."
Definition (1)
- Cellulitis infection: Is it contagious?
Risk factors (1)
- Cellulitis: How to treat recurrent episodes
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Question
Cellulitis: How to treat recurrent episodes
My husband has had cellulitis three times in a single year — and in three different parts of his body. What can he do to treat his cellulitis?
Answer
from Lawrence E. Gibson, M.D.
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection in the deepest layer of skin. Cellulitis develops when bacteria enter the body through a crack or cut in the skin. Sometimes cellulitis recurs.
Cellulitis is usually treated with antibiotics. It's important to take the antibiotics exactly as prescribed — including finishing the full course of antibiotics, even if signs and symptoms have already improved. To relieve discomfort associated with cellulitis, keep the affected area elevated if possible. A cool wet dressing or clean cloth applied to the affected area and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) also may help relieve pain and swelling.
To help prevent recurrent episodes of cellulitis, keep skin clean and well moisturized. Be sure to treat athlete's foot because it can allow penetration of infection-causing bacteria. Prevent cuts and scrapes by wearing appropriate clothing and footwear, using gloves when necessary, and trimming fingernails and toenails with care. Seek prompt medical attention at the first sign of a skin infection of the hands or feet.
Recurrent cellulitis can also be a sign of an immune system problem, for example diabetes. Your husband should be examined carefully to see if a source for this infection can be determined (for example, athlete's foot). You might also encourage your husband to ask his doctor about long-term antibiotic treatment. Some people who have recurrent cellulitis may benefit from long-term antibiotic treatment to prevent recurrent infections.
Next questionCellulitis infection: Is it contagious?
- Dermatologic disorders. In: Porter RS, et al. The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy. Whitehouse Station, N.J.: Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.; 2009. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec10/ch119/ch119b.html?qt=recurrent%20cellulitis&alt=sh. Accessed July 14, 2010.
- Saavedra A, et al. Soft-tissue infections: Erysipelas, cellulitis, gangrenous cellulitis, and myonecrosis. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2008. http://accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2995113&searchStr=cellulitis#2995113. Accessed July 14, 2010.
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