Cellulitis

What is cellulitis?

Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and the tissues beneath it. It has nothing to do with the cosmetic problem cellulite.

Cellulitis causes

Cellulitis is usually caused by bacteria, most commonly of the streptococci or staphylococci groups, which normally live on the skin's surface. Damage to the skin (a spot, scratch or larger wound) allows bacteria to enter the deeper tissues and establish an infection.

However, any bacteria can cause cellulitis, and the initial damage to the skin may be so minor as to go unnoticed. Some people are more vulnerable to cellulitis, or more likely to get complications, especially those with diabetes, or those whose immune system isn't working well.