can anyone please tell me anything?

Cellulitis is an infection of the deep layer of skin (dermis) and the layer of fat and tissues just under the skin (the subcutaneous tissues).

Erysipelas is an infection of the skin which is nearer to the skin surface (more superficial) than cellulitis.

In reality, it is difficult to tell how deep an infection is, so cellulitis and erysipelas are much the same thing.

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.What causes cellulitis?

The skin is a good barrier against infection. However, a break in the skin from a cut, skin ulcer, injection, athlete's foot, scratch, etc, is a way in which bacteria (germs) can get into and under the skin. A tiny cut is all that is needed to allow bacteria in.

We all have some bacteria that live on our skin which normally do not cause any problems. However, if your skin is damaged or broken in some way, the bacteria can get in. The bacteria may then multiply and spread along under the skin surface to cause an infection. A cut, graze, etc, is found in many cases to be the root cause. However, sometimes the infection occurs for no apparent reason with no break in the skin found. Various different types of bacteria can cause cellulitis..

.Who gets cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a common problem. It can affect anyone. However, there are some things that can make you more prone to cellulitis. For example, if you:.

•Have athlete's foot (see below).

•Have skin abrasions (cuts).

•Have swollen legs (for various reasons), or are overweight or obese.

•Have previously had an episode of cellulitis.

•Have a poor immune system - for example, if you take steroids or chemotherapy.

•Have poorly-controlled diabetes.

•Are an intravenous drug user.

•Have had an insect bite.

•Have skin problems such as eczema.

.A common cause of cellulitis is due to athlete's foot

Athlete's foot is usually a mild fungal skin infection. However, it can cause tiny cracks in the skin between the toes. Bacteria may then get under the skin and travel up to cause a cellulitis in the calf (but without an apparent infection of the foot).

The cellulitis can be treated, but it may recur if the athlete's foot is not also treated. Unless athlete's foot is looked for, it can easily be missed as the source of the problem. Some people have two, three or more bouts of cellulitis before it is realised that the infection in the leg is due to the minor skin cracks between the toes. People more prone to cellulitis, such as those with swollen legs and those who are overweight, should be careful to treat any athlete's foot promptly. Itchiness between the toes is the first sign of athlete's foot. (See separate leaflet called 'Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis)' for details.).

.What are the symptoms of cellulitis?

The lower part of the leg is the most common site for cellulitis to develop. However, cellulitis can affect any area of the skin. Affected skin feels warm, may look swollen, and looks red and inflamed. The infected area may spread and is usually tender. Sometimes blisters occur on the skin. The nearest glands may swell and become tender. This is because they are fighting off the infection to stop it spreading to other parts of the body. For example, the glands in the groin may swell during cellulitis of the leg.

You may feel unwell and have a fever. Indeed, the first symptom is often to feel feverish and shivery for up to 24 hours before any changes to the skin appear.

With erysipelas, the face or a leg are commonly affected. If erysipelas affects the face, infection has often travelled from the nasal (nose) passages from a recent infection of the nasal passages. On the face, infection typically spreads from the nose area across both cheeks. Infection elsewhere produces similar symptoms to cellulitis.

MORE:

It's spelt 'cellulitis'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulitis

It's it's an inflammation (-itis)

Cellulite is different:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellulite

It is not a disease and women get it naturally. Look up cellulite on wikipedia, which is the correct spelling.

in what language? :-)