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While your skin always has millions of germs living on it, they usually aren't able to penetrate the subdermal tissues. Damaged skin, however, lets them enter the body and multiply, producing infection.
Unprotected cracked or broken skin is an invitation to the bacteria that cause cellulitis. Your ankles and lower shins are especially vulnerable. Even skin disrupted by athlete's foot can admit the harmful germs.
Surgical incisions, ordinary cuts, skin ulcers, puncture wounds and skin cracked from dermatitis raise your risk of cellulitis. - In addition to entering through animal bites, cellulitis-causing germs can invade your skin from spider and insect bites. The Mayo Clinic says that some insects or spiders not only break the skin but also carry the infectious germs.
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Cellulitus caused by Group A Streptococcus is referred to as erysipelas. Until recently, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, erysipelas usually affected the face. Today, however, 4 of every 5 erysipelas cases involve the legs.
Streptococcus B and streptococcus pneumoniae also cause cellulitis. The Ohio State University Medical Center reports that strep-related cellulitis spreads much more quickly than staph-related because strep germs release enzymes to block the body from halting the infection. - Staphylococcus bacteria, after strep germs, are the second most common cause of cellulitus. Both staphylococcus aureus and methycillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus can lead to cellulitis.
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While they don't cause cellulitus, certain conditions can predispose you to developing it. Some of them, according to New York University's Langone Medical Center, are:
A weakened immune response
Diabetes
Steroid use
Alcoholism
Kidney or liver disease
Fluid retention
Poor circulation -
A few simple precautions can dramatically reduce your risk of cellulitus. Get in the habit of frequently washing your hands in soap and water or wiping them with an alcohol hand sanitizer.
Cover all wounds or burns with antibiotic ointment and clean dry bandages. Protect your hands and feet with gloves and shoes during activities in which you might cut or scrape them.
Check your feet for injured skin daily if you suffer from a compromised immune system or diabetes.
Pus or an inflamed area around a skin wound are signs of infection meriting a call your doctor.
