Varicose eczema, also called venous eczema, can look similar to cellulitis. This type of eczema affects your lower legs, which is where cellulitis often appears. With varicose eczema, your skin may be itchy, swollen, dry, flaky, scaly, or crusty.
The most common disorders mistaken for lower limb cellulitis include venous eczema, lipodermatosclerosis, irritant dermatitis, and lymphedema. The dermatologist is often consulted when a patient has failed to respond to therapy, and a thorough knowledge of the differential diagnosis is essential.
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can cause symptoms such as swelling and discomfort. Itching is not a typical symptom of cellulitis. However, some people may experience itchiness as their skin heals from the infection. Other common symptoms of cellulitis include fever and chills, nausea, and fatigue.
Lymphoedema is a common mimic of cellulitis. The underlying pathogenesis of lymphoedema is similar to venous disease, in which there is decreased tissue oxygenation as a result of extravasated lymph. Clinical features of lymphoedema include: Long-standing non-pitting oedema with induration.
In nearly one third of misdiagnoses, patients had some form of dermatitis (e.g., stasis, eczematous, allergic), and one third had some other type of infection (e.g., abscess, septic bursitis, osteomyelitis); 4% had gout or pseudogout.
You may have cellulitis if you have an area of skin that is warm, red, tender and very painful. If your infection is severe, you may also have symptoms like fever and nausea. If you think you or someone in your care has cellulitis, it's important to get medical attention as soon as possible.
Unlike cellulitis, the lesions of vasculitis are often multifocal and/or bilateral. Ulceration, palpable purpura, and livedo reticularis may be present. Be sure to ask the patient about the presence of specific symptoms such as myalgias, arthralgias, hematuria, or neuropathy.
There are many other skin conditions that can look like cellulitis, making it difficult to distinguish from benign conditions, such as a fungal infection or redness from poor circulation.
Does cellulitis itch? No, cellulitis doesn't itch. However, your affected area may itch once your skin starts to heal.
Cellulitis is an infection of the deep dermis and subcutaneous tissue; erysipelas is more superficial, involving only the upper dermis and superficial lymphatics.
Take an over-the-counter oral antihistamine to relieve itching. This medicine may work better than a topical cream. Apply an antibiotic ointment to the bite area if the skin is broken. Cover the bite with a bandage to keep germs out and lower the temptation to scratch.
Wash the area with clean water 2 times a day. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the area with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.
If you scratch an insect bite, you can transfer bacteria from under your nails or surrounding skin into the wound. If you're bitten by an insect, treat it immediately to avoid complications such as cellulitis. Move away from the area to avoid getting any more bites or stings.
Allergic and irritant forms of contact dermatitis are often mistaken for cellulitis. Irritant contact dermatitis (figure 3) presents with erythematous patches and plaques with well-defined borders, often in a geometric distribution where the skin was exposed to an irritant.
In general, cellulitis appears as a red, swollen, and painful area of skin that is warm and tender to the touch. The skin may look pitted, like the peel of an orange, or blisters may appear on the affected skin. Some people may also develop fever and chills.
How is cellulitis diagnosed? Diagnosis is usually based on a medical history and physical exam. Blood and skin samples may be taken to confirm the diagnosis and the type of bacteria that is present. A bacterial culture can identify the organism causing the condition and indicate the most effective antibiotic.
Most staph infections that are visible usually have a reddish, swollen, itchy, and/or tender area at the site of infection. Often the site oozes pus or has some crusty covering with drainage.
Signs and symptoms of staph infection on your skin include: Abscesses and boils: These painful sores form under your skin, causing redness and pain. Cellulitis: This type of infection causes swollen, red, painful skin and tissue just under your skin.
Cellulitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection. The bacteria that cause it often live harmlessly on the skin, but they can lead to an infection if they get into a break in your skin, such as: a bruise, cut or graze. an animal bite or insect bite.
The term "Pseudocellulitis" can be used to describe an uncomplicated nonnecrotizing inflammation of the dermis and hypodermis from a noninfectious etiology.
Phlebitis results from blood clots or damaged veins, and cellulitis is due to a bacterial infection. Cellulitis affects the deeper layers of the skin and the fat and soft tissue that lies underneath. Symptoms of cellulitis can resemble phlebitis, such as: flushing or darkening of the skin.
New rash with tender, purple or brownish-red spots over large areas. Skin sores mostly located on the legs, buttocks, or trunk. Blisters on the skin. Hives (urticaria), may last longer than 24 hours.
This form of vasculitis primarily affects the small vessels of the skin, causing red patches and hives that can itch, burn and leave skin discoloration. Depending on the form of urticarial vasculitis, other organ systems may be affected.
Cellulitis is another skin infection known to result from shingles. 10 Unlike impetigo, which affects the outermost layer of skin, cellulitis is an infection of the deeper layers and even the tissue beneath the skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.