Streptococci and staphylococcus aureus are bacteria found in the human skin. They are the most common origin of the bacterial-caused cellulitis that infects the body tissues. Cellulitis is characterized by swelling, redness and pain or body aches. It can occur anywhere on the body. If the infection occurs in the leg, it is called leg cellulitis.
Leg cellulitis is usually triggered by a minor skin cut or even by an athlete’s foot. The bacteria within the skin further worsen the infection. To treat it one should treat the bacteria as its cause.
Antibiotics are the primary medical aid to protect human from infections. It includes protection against cellulitis. Oral antibiotics or antibacterial pills are the immediate remedy available over the counter. One can buy it without prescription from the physician. Antibiotics like penicillinase-resistant synthetic penicillin or a cephalosporin can cure leg cellulitis in less than a week. For more severe cases of the disease, it requires IV or intravenous hospital treatment where one will be injected with antibiotic and treatment can last for weeks. There are cases that require long-term treatment to prevent recurrence. In other words, leg cellulitis treatment varies according to the severity of the disease.
Fungi are likewise one of the causes of cellulitis found in the leg. Athlete’s foot accompanied by small wounds can trigger cellulitis. Other external factors include insect or animal bite, skin tattoo, scratch and irritated skins can lead to cellulitis. Cellulitis treatment for them are just as the same as those caused by the bacteria. Those with high risk factors are likely to have cellulitis. Risk factors include diabetes and HIV infection. These people have compromised immune system making their body prone to diseases brought about by bacteria, viruses and fungi.
Although it is not contagious, it can spread to any part of your body and if left untreated, it may cause serious medical problem or even death but these instances rarely happen. Proper medical advice and scientific intervention is necessary. It is always for the beneficial advantage of the patient to seek the doctor’s advice to understand and apply the appropriate treatment for every case of leg cellulitis.
