What can cellulitis be mistaken for?

Many inflammatory dermatoses of the skin clinically mimic cellulitis (aka pseudocellulitis), leading to a misdiagnosis rate of 30% to 90%. Common mimickers of cellulitis include venous stasis dermatitis, lymphedema, deep venous thrombosis, gout, and contact dermatitis.

What symptoms are similar to cellulitis?

Can cellulitis be a symptom of something else?

Another skin condition that can occur on the leg and look like cellulitis is gout. Gout happens when crystals form in a joint, usually the big toe, which causes inflammation that leads to redness near the joint. The area is tender, swollen, and warm, like cellulitis.

Is it cellulitis or something else?

“One really good way to determine if someone may or may not have cellulitis is that if the problem is in both legs, it is unlikely to be cellulitis,” says Kaminska. In addition, if antibiotics aren't clearing up a case of suspected cellulitis, other conditions may need to be considered.

How do you rule out cellulitis?

Cellulitis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment | Merck Manual Consumer Version Quick Facts

What does early cellulitis look like?

Cellulitis initially appears as pink-to-red minimally inflamed skin. The involved area may rapidly become deeper red, swollen, warm, and tender and increase in size as the infection spreads. Occasionally, red streaks may radiate outward from the cellulitis. Blisters or pus-filled bumps may also be present.

What is the strongest antibiotic for cellulitis?

The best antibiotic to treat cellulitis include dicloxacillin, cephalexin, trimethoprim with sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, or doxycycline antibiotics.

What is pseudo cellulitis?

INTRODUCTION. Pseudocellulitis is a rare entity, and the term can be used to describe an uncomplicated nonnecrotizing inflammation of the dermis and hypodermis from a noninfectious etiology. It should be distinguished from infectious cellulitis.

What's the difference between vasculitis and cellulitis?

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.

Does cellulitis itch and burn?

Cellulitis is not normally itchy until it starts to go away and the skin heals. Cellulitis is not itchy in the early stages of the infection. You may feel unwell, with a raised temperature (fever). If the cellulitis becomes very bad you may feel shivery and weak.

What happens if antibiotics don't work for cellulitis?

Without antibiotic treatment, cellulitis can spread beyond the skin. It can enter your lymph nodes and spread into your bloodstream. Once it reaches your bloodstream, bacteria can cause quickly cause a life-threatening infection known as blood poisoning.

Does cellulitis turn purple when healing?

The second is due to a polymicrobial infection of different bacteria that often starts just forward of the anus following surgery or rectal abscesses. Necrotizing cellulitis starts as an extremely painful, red swelling that soon turns purple and then black as the skin and flesh die.

What is the difference between cellulitis and phlebitis?

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.

What are the differential diagnosis for cellulitis?

There are a few conditions which can be misdiagnosed as cellulitis such as thrombophlebitis, contact dermatitis, insect stings, drug reactions, arthritis. Contact dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin in response to direct exposure to an allergic or irritating substance.

How can you tell the difference between cellulitis and erysipelas?

Erysipelas can be differentiated from cellulitis by its characteristically raised, advancing edges and sharply demarcated borders, reflecting its more superficial nature. Cellulitis has no lymphatic component and exhibits indiscreet margins.

What does pyoderma Gangrenosum look like?

Pyoderma gangrenosum often appears suddenly as either a small spot, red bump or blood blister. This then turns into a painful ulcer. It may have purple or blue edges and ooze fluid. The ulcer can grow quickly.

What does vasculitis look like on legs?

Common vasculitis skin lesions are: red or purple dots (petechiae), usually most numerous on the legs. larger spots, about the size of the end of a finger (purpura), some of which look like large bruises. Less common vasculitis lesions are hives, an itchy lumpy rash and painful or tender lumps.

Can Lyme disease be mistaken for cellulitis?

Patients with cellulitis typically present with warmth, tenderness, inflammation, swelling, redness, and/or pain in the affected area. As such, the bacterial infection can be mistaken for Lyme disease.

When should you suspect vasculitis?

Thus, vasculitis should be suspected in patients with unexplained ischaemia (that which occurs in the absence of risk factors for atherosclerotic vascular disease) or multisystem disease especially in the presence of systemic inflammatory response or features such as palpable purpura, mononeuritis multiplex, or ...

What is eosinophilic cellulitis?

Eosinophilic cellulitis (Wells' syndrome) is an inflammatory dermatitis that is often misdiagnosed as infectious cellulitis due to its similarity in presentation. Misdiagnosis leads to delay of correct treatment and inappropriate use of antibiotics.

What is lipodermatosclerosis?

Lipodermatosclerosis refers to changes in the skin of the lower legs. It is a form of panniculitis (inflammation of the layer of fat under the skin).

What does erythroderma mean?

Erythroderma (literally, "red skin"), also sometimes called exfoliative dermatitis, is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition that presents with diffuse erythema and scaling involving all or most of the skin surface area (≥90 percent, in the most common definition).

What is the fastest way to get rid of cellulitis?

Treatment for cellulitis, which is an infection of the skin and tissues, includes antibiotics and addressing any underlying condition that led to the infection. Home remedies can also help cellulitis go away faster, such as keeping the area dry, using antibiotic ointments, rest, and elevating the affected leg or arm.

Why is my cellulitis not going away?

If your cellulitis doesn't improve after 48 hours on antibiotics, you should consider going back to your provider or the emergency room to have your infection reassessed.

Will Neosporin help cellulitis?

Cellulitis can be treated with many different topical agents including Silvadene, Bacitracin and Neosporin to sooth the burning inflamed tissue and help in healing progression.