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Cellulitis
Cellulitis is a spreading infection of the skin that usually begins as a small area of
tenderness, swelling, and redness on the skin. As this red area begins to spread, the
person may develop a fever, sometimes with chills and sweats, and swollen lymph nodes
("swollen glands") near the area of infected skin.
Unlike impetigo, which is a very superficial skin infection, cellulitis refers to an
infection involving the skin's deeper layers; the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The main
bacteria involved in cellulitis is Staphylococcus ("staph"), the same bacteria
that causes many cases of impetigo. Occasionally, other bacteria may cause cellulitis as
well.
The skin normally has many types of bacteria living on it, but intact skin is an
effective barrier that keeps these bacteria from entering and growing within the body.
When there is a break in the skin, however, bacteria can enter the body and grow there,
causing infection and inflammation. The skin tissues in the infected area become red, hot,
irritated and painful.
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