Infectious cellulitis: what it is and how to recognize it
Quick facts
- Definition
- Acute bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue.
- Do not confuse
- It has nothing to do with cosmetic cellulite (orange-peel look of the skin).
- Signs
- Spreading redness, warmth, pain, swelling and, sometimes, fever.
- Management
- Prompt clinical assessment; treatment is defined by the licensed professional.
Infectious cellulitis is an acute bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue. The name is misleading: it has no relation to cosmetic cellulite, the skin irregularity on the thighs and buttocks. Here, the problem is an infection, usually from bacteria of the skin itself that enter through a point of entry, such as a cut, a bite or an injection.
How to recognize it?
The typical picture is an area of skin that is red, warm, painful and swollen, with borders that tend to spread over the hours. There may be fever, malaise and, in some cases, intense pain. Unlike the expected swelling and erythema after a procedure, which improve over time, the infection gets worse as the days go by.
| Expected after the procedure | Warning sign |
|---|---|
| Mild redness and swelling that improve within days | Redness that increases and spreads |
| Tenderness to touch | Growing, throbbing pain |
| Small dots on the skin | Discharge, local warmth, fever |
How does it relate to HOF?
Any procedure that punctures the skin creates a point of entry. That is why asepsis of the skin, the hands and the equipment is part of the protocol. With fillers, early or late infection can occur, the latter sometimes related to biofilm and nodules. When there is a collection of pus, it is called an abscess.
What should the patient be told?
- Do not handle or squeeze the treated area.
- Watch for redness that grows, warmth, pain and fever.
- Have a way to contact the clinic for aftercare, including outside business hours.
In Harmy
Harmy is a planning and projection app and does not deal with complications. In the consultation, explaining the risks is part of the consent process, and the app can support the conversation about the plan, but it does not replace the clinical assessment of aftercare.
Frequently asked questions
What is infectious cellulitis?
It is a bacterial infection of the skin and the tissue just beneath it, with redness, warmth, pain and swelling. It is not the same thing as the cosmetic cellulite of the thighs.
Can infectious cellulitis happen after filler?
It is a possible, though rare, complication of any procedure that crosses the skin. Correct asepsis and patient instructions reduce the risk.