This document discusses cellulitis, a spreading skin infection caused by bacteria. It describes the typical symptoms of cellulitis like redness, swelling and pain. Common causes include injuries, diabetes, and low immunity. The document outlines treatments like antibiotics and rest. It also discusses other common skin conditions like itching, pain, discoloration, numbness and increased sensitivity. Prevention through education is mentioned.
Cellulitis
Cellulitis isa spreading subcutaneous inflammation caused by
Streptococcus pyogens commonest.
Source of infection :
• Injuries- minor or major
• Graze or scratch
• Snake bite, scorpion bite, etc.
Precipitating factors :
• Diabetes
• Low resistance of an individual
Common sites :
• Lower limbs
• Face
• scrotum
3.
Clinical features:
Lesion is ill-defined and deeper
Redness and itching
Diffuse swelling
Skin is stretched and shiny
Pain, fever, toxaemia follows later.
In untreated cases, suppuration, sloughing and gangrene
can occur
Complications :
Lymphadenopathy frequently
Facial erysipelas, if untreated, may prove fetal.
Recurrences may occur in the same areas and result in
lymphedema which further predisposes to recurrent
infection.
4.
Treatment :
Symptomatic treatment
Rest
Limb elevation
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Specific treatment
Acute episode – parenteral penicillin
Erythromycin- penicillin sensitive patients or in pts whom
cellulitis is complication of manipulated furuncle
Recurrent episodes managed with Chemoprophylaxis with
long-acting penicillin (Benzathine penicillin)
5.
Common symptoms :
1.Itching : also known as pruritus, is an irritating and
uncontrollable sensation that makes you want to scratch
to relieve the feeling.
Causes : Itchiness can be generalized (all over the body) or
localized to one small region or spot.
Dermatitis: inflammation of the skin
Eczema: a chronic skin disorder that includes itchy, scaly
rashes
Psoriasis: an autoimmune disease that causes skin redness
and irritation, usually in the form of plaques
Dermatographism: a raised, red, itchy rash caused by
pressure on the skin
Medications :
Thefollowing common medicines often cause rashes and
widespread itching:
antifungals
antibiotics (especially sulfa-based antibiotics)
narcotic painkillers
anti-convulsant medications
9.
Diagnosis :
bloodtest: may indicate an underlying condition
test of your thyroid function: can rule out thyroid
issues
skin test: to determine if you’re having an allergic
reaction to something
scraping or biopsy of your skin: can determine if
you have an infection
10.
Treatment :
using a good moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated
avoiding scratching, which can worsen the itch
staying away from soaps, detergents, and other
substances that contain perfumes and color dyes
taking a cool bath with oatmeal or baking soda
rying over-the-counter anti-itch creams
taking an oral antihistamine
11.
2. Pain :
Itis a distressing feeling often caused by intense or damage
stimuli, such as stubbing a toe, burning a finger, putting alcohol
on a cut.
The International Association for the Study of Pain's widely
used definition states: "Pain is an unpleasant sensory and
emotional experience associated with actual or potential tissue
damage, or described in terms of such damage."[2] In medical
diagnosis, pain is a symptom.
Management :
Acute pain is usually managed with medications such
as analgesics and anesthetics
Management of chronic pain, however, is much more difficult
and may require the coordinated efforts of a pain
management team
13.
Discolouration :
Discoloredskin patches are irregular areas where there are changes in
skin color.
Causes : illness, injury, and inflammatory problems. Discolored
skin patches also commonly develop in a certain part of the body due
to a difference in melanin levels
• Burns - Sunburns
• Infections – bacterial skin infections,fungal infections like tinea
versicolor, ringworm
• Autoimune diseases and allergies - lupus erythematosus , Graves’
disease,
• Hormonal changes - during pregnancy, Melasma
• Birth marks - Mongolian spots, Moles, Port-wine stains
• Skin Cancer - Basal cell carcinoma, Squamous cell
carcinoma, Melanoma, Actinic keratosis
14.
Medical treatments
Lasertherapy: Intense pulsed light devices and Q-switched
lasers are commonly used to help lighten skin areas that have
darkened.
Topical creams: Topical hydroquinone or prescription retinol
(vitamin A) cream may help decrease the appearance of dark skin
patches.
Chemical peels: Chemical peels containing salicylic acid and
glycolic acid can be used to remove the outer, discolored layer of skin.
15.
Home treatments
Over-the-countercreams: Vitamin A or E creams can
help reduce the appearance of skin discoloration and boost
overall skin health.
Lemon juice: Apply lemon juice twice per day to lighten
skin areas that have darkened. This may reduce the
appearance of discolored skin patches in six to eight weeks.
Castor oil: Apply castor oil to discolored areas twice per day, or
wear a bandage soaked in castor oil overnight. This can help
smooth the skin and break down excess melanin.
Vitamin C: Eat foods rich in vitamin C, an essential nutrient
for skin health. Fruits high in vitamin C include cantaloupe,
oranges, and pineapple.
Drink tea: Drinking tea made from burdock, red clover, or
milk thistle might reduce skin discoloration.
16.
Hypoesthesia (orhypesthesia) refer to a reduced sense
of touch or sensation, or a partial loss of sensitivity
to sensory stimuli. Also known as "numbness“
Hyperesthesia (or hyperaesthesia) is a condition that
involves an abnormal increase in sensitivity to stimuli of
the sense. "When a non-noxious stimulus causes the
sensation of pain the area will be termed
hyperaesthetic".[1] Stimuli of the senses can include sound
that one hears, foods that one tastes, textures that one
feels, Increased touch sensitivity is referred to as "tactile
hyperesthesia", and increased sound sensitivity is called
"auditory hyperesthesia".