Understanding what cellulitis is and its preventive measures

At first I never knew what cellulitis is, I use to see people who have swelling of the leg as people who may be suffering from kidney, liver or heart disease.

Little did I know that there are a lot of things that could contribute to someone having swelling of the leg.

Cellulitis is this disease that I am talking about. This is a serious bacteria disease that have done more harm than expected in most country we have today.

This disease affects the inner layer of the skin both the dermis and subcutaneous part.

When I got to know more about this disease was when my sister in law suffered from this disease. It was like a dream at the beginning of the disease, I never knew it could escalate to that extent.

At first, when I saw her last, she complained to me that her leg was itching her at the same time paining her. I taught it was just a normal leg pain due to stress, little did I know that this disease is gradually setting in.

Two weeks later after visiting her, I got a phone call that she is no longer walking with her leg due to swelling of the leg.
At that time, I was confused I never knew it could lead to that extent.

I decided to pay a visit only for me to see this 👇

picture snapped by me

I was shocked, I never knew it could lead to this extent. I was made to understand that she is suffering from cellulitis. It was an eye opener to me, then I decide to find out more about this disease and how it affects the body.

like I said earlier, cellulitis is caused by serious bacteria skin infection. This disease can be seen in any parts of the body including the leg, arm and others.

The affected part of the body is usually swollen with a whole lot of pains which may be uncomfortable. This disease is known to be caused by a kind of bacteria which is stated as follows.

Cellulitis is caused when bacteria, most commonly streptococcus and staphylococcus, enter through a crack or break in the skin. The incidence of a more serious staphylococcus infection called methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is increasing

As stated above, we are meant to understand that this disease is caused by a bacteria like streptococcus and staphylococcus.

Most times when someone has this disease may be in the vagina or any other part of the body for a long period of time.
It happens that this disease has accumulated there for a long period of time. Most times when this disease are not treated properly it therefore finds it's way out by breaking towards the skin and affecting other parts of the body includes the lower extremities.

Aside the breaking out of the skin by staphylococcus aureus there are other factors that can predispose someone to get this bacteria infection. This factors includes insect bites, animal bite, tattoos, skin rash, dry skin and eczema.

Apart from all this, there are a lot of other things that can actually be a likely factor that could contribute to someone having this disease. This includes
¶injury
¶weakened immune system
¶skin conditions
¶history of cellulitis
¶being overweight

INJURY: People who have injury in there body are more likely to come down with this disease due to an exposure of there body could make bacteria more likely to invade the wounded part.
WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEM: immunosuppressed patient who may be is battling from one disease condition like HIV or cancer are more likely to get this disease due to decrease of there immune system.
SKIN CONDITION: some skin conditions like eczema and others can cause a break in the skin which could cause bacteria to invade the skin.
HISTORY OF CELLULITIS: people who have once had cellulitis are more likely to get infected again if proper measures are not being taken.
BEING OVERWEIGHT: weight increase could also contribute to someone coming down with Cellulitis.

Prevention

In those who have previously had cellulitis, the use of antibiotics may help prevent future episodes.[25] This is recommended by CREST for those who have had more than two episodes.[6] A 2017 meta-analysis found a benefit of preventative antibiotics for recurrent cellulitis in the lower limbs, but the preventative effects appear to diminish after stopping antibiotic therapy

The use of antibiotics is very much essential for cellulitis and for those who have wound in there legs should handle it carefully by washing the wound properly with clean water and soap.

Also, covering of the wound with bandage is also important and can help to prevent the entrance of bacteria inside of it.

Treatment

Cellulitis is best treated with antibiotics, the use of antibiotics helps to kill the bacteria and prevent further spreading of the disease.

Also taking care of the wound by avoiding further entrance of bacteria will help in the cure of this disease.

Conclusion

Cellulitis is a disease everyone would not want to suffer or see his or her loved once pass through that pain.
To avoid getting this disease, we should make sure that we treat any infection we have and protect our body from any injury or cut from outside of the body.