Living with lymphedema can have a significant impact on a person’s life, and daily maintenance and care are required to prevent the disease from progressing. The inflammation and swelling caused by the pathologic lymphedema fluid can cause a type of infection called cellulitis. In lymphedema patients, cellulitis infections can become extremely serious, and in some cases, life-threatening.
What is cellulitis?
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that quickly spreads to the deep layers of the skin and the tissue beneath the skin. It is not contagious, but if left untreated, it can enter a person’s bloodstream and cause sepsis, a life-threatening condition. Very rarely, severe cellulitis can be related to lymphangiosarcoma, a form of soft tissue cancer.
Causes of cellulitis
Cellulitis is caused by certain strains of bacteria, typically streptococcus and staphylococcus, that enter the body through a break in the skin. This can be something very simple like a bug bite that gets scratched too much, a nick from gardening, a paper cut, or dry, cracked skin. In lymphedema, inflammation in the skin makes it more prone to having breaks and weakens the body’s natural defenses against infection.
Cellulitis symptoms
Cellulitis causes a very noticeable skin rash, typically on the affected limb of a lymphedema patient. The area will be red, swollen, tender, and warm to the touch. Cellulitis can be very painful and may cause blisters or skin dimpling in more severe cases. Patients may also get a fever or chills or show other signs of infection. As the infection progresses, the rash and swelling will spread, the skin will look more abnormal, and symptoms will generally worsen.
Avoiding cellulitis infections with lymphedema
Patients with lymphedema need to take extra care to avoid infections, cuts, and scrapes. Daily skin care with moisturizer to avoid dry, cracked skin is essential as is care when trimming fingernails and toenails.
Cellulitis Treatment
Because cellulitis spreads rapidly and be life-threatening if not properly treated, medical attention must be sought immediately and antibiotics administered if infection is suspected.
The Granzow System SM is the first comprehensive, integrated system of surgery and therapy designed to treat lymphedema, and dramatically reduces the risks of cellulitis infections.
Dr. Jay Granzow is an internationally renowned board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in lymphedema and lipedema treatment.