Cellulitis is a serious skin infection which, when left untreated, can cause complications that can be more serious than the skin infection itself. The infection has a very rapid incubation period and only takes a couple of days to develop and spread. However, if treated early and properly, the skin infection generally is gone within one or two weeks. Adult cellulitis is as serious as any other forms of the skin infection and requires the same antibiotic regimen. But if left untreated, the infection leads to bacteria in the bloodstream or bacteremia, blood poisoning or septicemia. Those that were infected through an open wound ran the risk of having gangrene which destroys body tissues. The possible consequence of a serious gangrene infection is amputation of the infected body part.
To prevent further spread of the disease, take the medications prescribed by your doctor properly. This means that you do not cut back on taking them once symptoms disappear. Get proper medical attention on the affected area. Such as if it requires a hot pack or something which will help cure the infection. There are occasions that cellulitis will worsen even if taking a cellulitis antibiotic. In such a case consult back with your doctor to see if you need additional medicine. In case you are already on medication and instead of being healed, you develop more symptoms consult with your doctor immediately.
Unaffected adults need to clean up any skin openings like abrasions, cuts and other skin breaks no matter how superficial. An antiseptic soap is great for this purpose. Keep those wounds clean and protected by covering them with a gauze bandage. Consult a medical practitioner on what should be done in case you develop signs of cellulitis infection. Lastly, if you have Diabetes or belongs to the high risk group for the skin disease, take all the necessary precaution against cellulitis as contacting it will surely put your life at risk. It is good if you have a regular physical check up so if ever you do contact the disease, you will know right away what your personal medical risks are.
