Treatment of cellulite - learn how to fight cellulite

Cellulitis is an infection of the skin where connective tissues together with dermal and subcutaneous layers of the skin is inflamed. The infection is often caused by micro-organisms normally present in the skin or by the bacteria Streptococcus or Staphylococcus who enter the skin through a cut, blister, burn or insect bite. Cellulitis can occur in any part of the body, but usually appears on the face or legs. Cellulite treatment is performed to alleviate pain and other symptoms, accelerate recovery and heal the skin.

Signs and symptoms of cellulitis

Cellulitis often begins as a small area of redness and pain on the skin. Tissues surrounding soon to be affected and to provoke inflammation with redness, swelling, pain and heat. You can develop a fever and the affected person may feel swollen lymph nodes in the infected area. Chills and sweats may accompany fever.

Apart from the legs and lower face, you can develop cellulite in the area of the arm and neck. The chest and the abdomen may also be affected. Special types of cellulitis can develop and are appointed by the location of the infected area. Periorbital cellulitis (around of the eye socket), therefore, is cellulite buccal (cheek), facial cellulitis and perianal cellulitis.

Risk factors

Elderly and those with weakened immune systems are prone to cellulite. Diabetics and those with varicose veins and poor blood circulation in the legs and feet are also vulnerable to the disease.

Treatment for cellulite

Antibiotics are vital in the treatment of cellulite. It can be taken orally or as a topical cream or ointment applied directly to the skin. For serious cases of cellulite, it may require hospitalization and antibiotics may be administered intravenously. If it is not properly, the bacterial infection can spread throughout the body and can cause serious illness.

Oral antibiotics including penicillin and its derivatives. Dicloxacillin, cephalosporin, erythromycin or Vancomycin can also be used. Mild cases of cellulite can be treated with topical antibiotics. Intravenous antibiotics for the treatment of cellulite include oxacillin, levofloxacin and cephalosporin. The location and severity of the infection will determine the type of antibiotic is used.

When cellulite occurs in the leg or arm, treatment may include raising the affected limb to reduce swelling.

Cellulite is not contagious, but those who are at risk of infection should take preventive measures such as proper skin hygiene. Individuals with edema may lead support stockings while obese people can work in shedding excess fat. Cellulite treatment should not be limited to cure the infection, but should also focus on prevention.