Bacteria that cause cellulitis

Taken from a WebMD Cellulitis ArticleWhat causes cellulitis?

Staph (Staphylococcus aureus) is the most common bacteria that causes cellulitis.

Strep (Group A Streptococcus) is next most common bacteria that causes cellulitis. A form of rather superficial cellulitis caused by strep is called erysipelas; it is characterized by spreading hot, bright red circumscribed area on the skin with a sharp raised border. The so-called "flesh-eating bacteria" are, in fact, also a strain of strep which can in severe cases destroy tissue almost as fast as surgeons can cut it out.

Cellulitis can be caused by many other types of bacteria. In children under six, H. flu (Hemophilus influenzae) bacteria can cause cellulitis, especially on the face, arms, and upper torso. Cellulitis from a dog or cat bite or scratch may be caused by the Pasturella multocida bacteria, which has a very short incubation period of only four to 24 hours. Cellulitis after an injury from a saltwater fish or shellfish (like a fish bite, a puncture from a fish spine, or a crab pinch) can be due to the Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae bacteria. These same bacteria can also cause cellulitis after a skin injury on the farm, especially if it happened while working with pigs or poultry.


For information on Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome check out Shwachman-Diamond America

Rashes, skin infections-links to pictures

Ever wonder what type of rash your child has? Here are a few links that may be helpful in determining what type of rash your child has! It shows pictures of Lyme disease, Mulluscum, ring worm, cellulitis, boils, pediatric scabies, dermatitis,moles, warts, herpes, etc. Check out the link below for pictures.

Rashes, dermatitis, molluscum and Abscesses

Boils: Medical Articles

http://www.medicinenet.com/boils/article.htm



A boil, also referred to as a skin abscess, is a localized infection deep in the skin. A boil generally starts as a reddened, tender area. Over time, the area becomes firm and hard. Eventually, the center of the abscess softens and becomes filled with infection-fighting white blood cells that the body sends from the bloodstream to eradicate the infection. This collection of white blood cells, bacteria, and proteins is known as pus. Finally, the pus "forms a head," which can be surgically opened or spontaneously drain out through the surface of the skin.



Click on the link above to read the entire article from MedicineNet. Article includes pictures and treatment options, etc.

For more info on boils, here are some good sites:

Boils on DermNet

AOCD Boil Article

eMedicine Boil Article

Mayo Clinic Boil Article

Cellulitis

It seems like many SDS folks get cellulitis. We've dealt with it 9 or 10 times now and have had to be hospitalized for it. My boys have a chemotaxis defect as well as neutropenia. J developed cellulitis even with G-CSF and GM-CSF. Only one time did we have a fever with cellulitis...and with SDS, my boys did nothave a huge white blood cell count increase.

We have learned a lot over the years. We've had cellulitis on the toes, knees, surgery sites, injection sites and private areas. If possible, we circle the area with ink (pen) and watch to see if the redness is spreading. We've only had pus develop once and had to have it drained. People with neutropenia don't always have a fever response or develop pus because of lack of neutrophils. In my boys' case, they mounted a response, not a huge WBC, but bcause of neutrophil chemotaxis problems, there was no pus. Doctors tried to culture the wounds, but we've never had much to culture because of lack of pus!

These are a few good articles on cellulitis that also include pictures.

MedicineNet Cellulitis article

Mayo Clinic Cellulitis article

eMedicine Cellulitis article
Cellulitis on Healthline
U of M Cellulitis article