How to Identify Cellulitis
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection. While it is a quite common infection, there can be serious side affects as a result of cellulitis. According to the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER), "Cellulitis appears as a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender, and it may spread rapidly. Skin on lower legs is most commonly affected, though cellulitis can occur anywhere on your body or face." While cellulitis is most commonly bacteria that affect the surface of the skin, it is possible for the bacteria to spread into the bloodstream. Therefore, properly identifying cellulitis is a crucial step in treating the bacteria with the help of a medical professional.
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Instructions
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Find a well-lit area of your house where you can examine the part of your body or the body of someone you are assisting. Because cellulitis first appears on the skin as small, red dots, which are sometimes swollen, it is important to be able to see the affected area clearly. You should be look for skin that is, according to the Mayo Clinic, red, swollen, tender or warm. You can start your examination by simply looking at the skin. If there is a visual change to your normal skin, then you should note these changes.
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Take the body temperature of the person you are examining. One of the symptoms of cellulitis is a fever or high body temperature. According to the National Institutes of Health Medical Encyclopedia, a fever is usually a body temperature of over 99 to 99.5 degrees F.
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Lightly touch the affected area. If the skin is swollen and warm, or feels more tender than usual, note these changes.
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Look for a rash. If the affected area has formed into a rash, the skin will blister. These are signs that cellulitis may be spreading or worsening.
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Tips & Warnings
If the examined area contains a rash, and if that rash swells or become more tender, you should immediately seek medical attention. Because cellulitis can spread rapidly throughout the body, you should not rely on self-diagnosis or self-treatment alone, but rather allow a medical professional to test the affected area and prescribe the best treatment for the infection.
