abbattoir vigilante

 

 

Cellulitis is a skin infection, usually caused by Streptococcus or Staphylococcus bacteria. Cellulitis usually develops after a break in the skin from a scrape, cut, bite, or puncture, or after a rash.

A health professional should evaluate symptoms that can occur with cellulitis, which may include:

 

• Painful, red, hot, swollen skin that may crack, split, or weep fluid.
• Red streaks extending from the red area toward the body (lymphangitis).
• Fever and chills.
• Drainage of pus.
• Swollen glands.
• General feeling of illness (malaise).

Facial cellulitis in children requires immediate medical attention to prevent potentially dangerous eye or brain infection. Cellulitis usually is treated with antibiotics, rest and elevation of the affected area, and warm compresses. Cellulitis may be more severe and require hospitalization in people who have decreased blood flow (venous stasis), long-term swelling, diabetes, or an impaired immune system.

 

 

Unfortunately for me my cellulitis is very severe. I have an extremely low immune system that revolves around weighing 96 lb., having anemia, and chronic fatigue from narcolepsy. Also living with a lot of animals who bring in dirt and bacteria off the street doesn’

t help. 

Because of the severity of the bacteria in my system I have been missing quite a bit of school the past 3 weeks. The symptoms of the cellulitis have been horribly intense for me.

 

It’

s not fun.

But you don’

t have to worry if you came in contact with me.

 

Is cellulitis contagious?

Cellulitis is not contagious because it is an infection of the skin’s deeper layers (the dermis and subcutaneous tissue), and the skin’s top layer (the epidermis) provides a cover over the infection. 

How is cellulitis treated?

Antibiotics, such as derivatives of penicillin or other types of antibiotics that are effective against the responsible bacteria, are used to treat cellulitis. If the bacteria turn out to be resistant to the chosen antibiotics or in patients who are allergic to penicillin, other appropriate antibiotics can be substituted. In many cases, treatment requires the administration of intravenous antibiotics in a hospital setting, since oral antibiotics may not always provide sufficient penetration of the injury to be effective. In certain cases, intravenous antibiotics can be administered at home.

In all cases, physicians choose a treatment based upon many factors, including the location and extent of the infection, the type of bacteria causing the infection, and the overall health status of the patient.

 

I had been taking CEPHALEXIN which is a generic for KEFLEX. Unfortunately there hasn’t been a great deal of improvement in the infection. I had been on the KEFLEX a few times last year for the same exact thing, often when your body is over exposed to a drug multiple times the effect of it can wear off. Your internal system adjusts to accept the drug as a normal element. The over exposure to antibiotics can also help to lower your immune system. Since your body is constantly requiring help from an outside source to fight off bacteria the white blood cells deplete and assume they don’t have to work as hard. This isn’

t very good for me.

Since the medicine has been having no effect this is the next step:

INTRAVENOUS: One may need hospitalization if the infection is well developed, extensive, or in an important area, like the face. In most of these cases, IV (intravenous) antibiotics need to be given until the infection is under good control (two to three days) and then you can be switched to oral medications to be taken at home.

My infection is on my face. This is very bad and upsetting. The blisters are going to cause deep scars and giant craters. I will have to get extensive scar therapy after the infection has cleared up.

This will be the end of my career being photographed most likely, a horrible but lucrative source of income. I will be sick for at least another few days, and I’

m not sure how long it will take the infected areas to heal. Hopefully by the weekend all will be well if the intravenous antibiotics work.

Please don’

t ever get cellulitis.

Prevention

• It is very important to keep your skin clean by practicing good personal hygiene.

• If you notice pain or discomfort from an area of the skin, check to see what it looks like. If it appears inflamed and progresses from one day to the next, you will most likely need treatment.

• Avoid situations that may injure your skin, especially if you have swelling from circulatory problems.
• Wear sturdy, well–fitting shoes or slippers with loose–fitting cotton socks. Avoid walking barefoot in areas where you do not have a good idea about what you are walking on, for example, in garages, on a littered beach, or in the woods.
• If you do injure your skin, wash the area with soap and water and check to make sure that the injury is getting better over the next several days.
• Certain injuries may be at greater risk for infection than others. You may need to take antibiotics to prevent infection or have other preventive care. Be sure to contact your doctor if you have injuries such as these:
  • Animal or human bites
  • Puncture injuries deeper than a half–inch, such as stepping on a nail
  • Crushed tissue that bleeds, burns that blister, frostbite, or deep injuries with dirt in them
  • Injuries in contact with sea water
• Find out if you have diabetes or other significant medical conditions, such as liver or kidney disease. These conditions may be present without symptoms. Follow your doctor’s instructions for management of these conditions.
• Talk to your doctor if you have swelling in your limbs that does not go away.