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What To Know About Breast Cellulitis
Breast cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection on the breast. Symptoms can include inflammation, a rash, and warmth. Antibiotics are the main treatment for breast cellulitis.
It is possible for breast cellulitis to spread to other parts of the body. To reduce the risk of this, and the development of abscesses in severe cases, it is important to seek urgent medical advice as soon as there are concerns about breast cellulitis.
Read on to learn more about the symptoms and causes of breast cellulitis. This article also discusses how doctors diagnose the condition, treatment options, and more.
When breast cellulitis develops, a person will often notice an inflamed rash around the bottom of their breast that feels warm to the touch. The rash may appear red or pink on lighter skin tones, or purple, brown, or another dark color on darker skin tones. The rash can spread quickly to other areas of the body.
In severe cases, a person may develop a breast abscess. Abscesses are areas where pus collects. If these form, a doctor will typically need to drain the abscess.
A person may also develop flu-like symptoms, such as chills and fever.
Learn more about abscesses.
The underlying cause of breast cellulitis is an overgrowth of bacteria. The most common bacteria include Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus.
People may develop cellulitis due to other strains of bacteria if they:
Risk factors for breast cellulitis include:
Living with atopic dermatitis can also increase a person's risk of developing breast cellulitis due to increased Staphylococcus aureus colonization.
Learn more about bacterial skin infections.
To reach an accurate diagnosis, a doctor may begin by taking a full medical history and asking questions about symptoms.
They will also examine the area and look for the presence of at least two out of four clinical signs. These are:
Specific tests are typically not necessary for diagnosing breast cellulitis. However, if the condition persists, a doctor may order tests such as:
These tests can help to rule out other possible causes.
A doctor will typically prescribe antibiotics for treating the streptococcal species of bacteria. Cephalexin or clindamycin often work well against these species. Most antibiotic regimes will last a minimum of 5 days.
If an abscess develops, the doctor may recommend either draining the pus by making an incision or using a needle to aspirate (draw out) the infection.
If the condition shows no improvements with antibiotics or a person develops signs of systemic infection, a person may need additional antibiotics. In severe cases, a person may need hospitalization.
Without treatment, breast cellulitis can lead to bacteria getting into the bloodstream. This can lead to potentially life threatening complications, such as sepsis.
When the bacteria enter the blood, it can also cause a heart condition called endocarditis. This is an infection that attacks the lining of the heart.
Seeking medical treatment as soon as there are concerns about breast cellulitis can help reduce the risk of complications.
A person may not be able to prevent all cases of breast cellulitis from occurring, but they can take steps to help reduce the risk. These include:
People with larger breasts may find relief from frequent breast cellulitis through breast reduction surgery. A doctor can advise whether they recommend breast reduction surgery and provide other tips for reducing the risk of breast cellulitis.
The following sections provide answers to some frequently asked questions about breast cellulitis.
How serious is cellulitis of the breast?Breast cellulitis is an infection of the skin around or on the breast. Without treatment, it can quickly spread and lead to potentially life threatening complications. A person should contact a doctor if they develop a rash on their breast or any other symptoms of cellulitis.
Why do I have cellulitis on my breast?Cellulitis develops due to an overgrowth of bacteria. If it occurs on the breast, it may be due to recent surgery or radiation therapy.
Having a larger breast size, having overweight, or living with other underlying conditions such as atopic dermatitis can increase a person's risk.
How long does cellulitis in the breast last?Cellulitis is a fast-spreading infection. Without treatment, it may continue to develop and can lead to potentially life threatening complications. Treatment involves an antibiotic regime that typically lasts at least 5 days, though severe infections may take longer to clear.
Breast cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can occur on or under the breast. It is fast spreading and requires antibiotics to treat and help prevent complications from occurring.
People at higher risk include those who have had breast surgery or radiation, people who have overweight, or those with a larger breast size. People with other underlying conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, may also have a higher risk of developing the condition.
It is best to contact a doctor as soon as a person experiences symptoms of breast cellulitis. They can often diagnose the condition based on symptoms, including skin discoloration, swelling, warmth, and tenderness.
Here It Is, Cellulitis In A Nutshell
Cellulitis is an infection that is the "bread and butter" of Infectious Diseases Physicians and other doctors worldwide. While it doesn't evoke the spine-tingling tension of an Ebola outbreak or SARS, cellulitis is an important condition that affects countless numbers of people every year.
What is cellulitis?
First of all, cellulitis has got nothing to do with cellulite. So if you are seeking information on "thunder thighs" and their reduction, read no further! Cellulitis is infection of the tissue under the skin - the "subcutaneous" tissue. The infection tends to spread through special blood vessels in the body known as lymphatics.
Is it rare?
Not at all. Cellulitis would be one of the most common reasons for hospital admission amongst Infectious Diseases units.
Where do you get cellulitis?
By definition, cellulitis can affect any part of the body covered by skin. But, in practice, the most common part of the body affected by cellulitis is the leg; therefore, the emphasis of this article will be cellulitis in that part of the body.
Which bugs cause cellulitis?
Cellulitis is usually caused by bacteria that live on our skin. For the vast majority of our lives, these skin bacteria have been peacefully co-existing on us. But on some occasions, they can stir up trouble and cause cellulitis. Out of all our skin bacteria, the two most frequent culprits are Group A Streptococcus (also known as Streptococcus pyogenes) and Staphylococcus aureus (also known as "golden staph"). There are other causes which will be discussed below (see "Severe forms of cellulitis").
How do you get cellulitis?
Sometimes, patient with cellulitis will recall a break in the skin that has become infected e.G. A cut, a scratch or a surgical wound. But more often than not, there is no history of trauma to the affected part of the body; however, there are a number of risk factors that predispose people to cellulitis.
What are the risk factors for cellulitis?
Tinea pedis
This is a common fungal infection also known as "Athlete's Foot". It causes a break in the skin between the toes but usually causes no symptoms. The fungus itself doesn't cause cellulitis; but, the breach in the skin provides a portal of entry for skin bacteria to wreak their microbial mayhem, causing cellulitis.
Peripheral vascular disease (blocked arteries in the leg)
A healthy blood supply to the extremities is vital to prevent infection. People with blocked arteries in the leg are at higher risk of cellulitis. The two most common groups in which blocked arteries in the leg are seen are chronic smokers and diabetics.
Chronic venous insufficiency
Damaged veins in the leg can increase the risk of cellulitis of the leg. This is often a consequence of aging and other conditions, such as varicose veins. People with chronic venous hypertension usually have thickened skin, dermatitis and small star-like veins over the leg.
Lymphoedema
Lymphatics are vessels that carry a clear liquid to the lymph nodes. The lymphatic system is a vital part of our immune system so any disruption to it increases the risk of infection. When disruption to the lymphatic vessels occurs, it results in swelling of the affected limb called lymphoedema. This can occur spontaneously, be a complication of surgery (e.G. Lymphoedema of the arm following breast cancer surgery) or infection (e.G. Filariasis).
Generalized reduction in the body's immunity Any condition that reduces the body's ability to fight infection increases the risk of cellulitis e.G. In diabetes and in people who take immune-lowering medications.
What happens when you get cellulitis of the leg?
Typically, your foot or leg will start hurting and then become red, hot and swollen - but the order of these symptoms is variable. With time, the affected area of the leg will extend upwards. The infection spreads via the lymphatic vessels which run up the inside thigh and into the lymph nodes at the very top of the thigh; therefore, patients may have a streak of redness and pain on the inside and top of the thigh. Some patients can become generally unwell with fevers, uncontrollable shivering and sweating.
Serious complications of cellulitis Septicaemia Amputation Death
How do you diagnose it?
Cellulitis is purely a clinical diagnosis. Blood and radiological tests are only useful to clarify the severity and extent of the condition.
What is the usual treatment of cellulitis?
Antibiotics (usually penicillin-based) in oral or intravenous form.
Elevation of the affected leg and bed rest Treat the underlying cause e.G. Give antifungal cream for tinea pedis, encourage better control of diabetes and refer to a Vascular Surgeon if there is a history of blocked arteries.
Severe forms of cellulitis Although cellulitis is generally not life-threatening, there are a few exceptions:
Necrotizing skin and soft tissue infections
These are fulminant conditions associated with a very high death rate that include "necrotizing fasciitis", "synergistic gangrene" and "gas gangrene". You may sometimes read in the media of cases described as being caused by "flesh eating bacteria". These are technically not just cellulitis because they end up spreading much deeper than the subcutaneous tissue. People with these conditions have severe pain in the affected areas, often associated with large blisters. They also look very unwell from the end of the bed. The only cure is surgery in conjunction with antibiotics, sometimes involving many operations. Often the operated area will be completely exposed e.G. An open abdomen with the intestines visible or an open leg with the bones on full display.
Dog and cat bites
In Sri Lanka, animal bites, especially from stray dogs, rightly make us worry about rabies. But they also harbour a bacterium called Pasteurella in their mouths. If introduced into our skin through a bite or scratch, they can cause an aggressive form of cellulitis that loves to invade the tendons and joints. These patients often need surgery in addition to antibiotics.
Cellulitis from water
When cellulitis occurs following an injury in water, different bacteria have to be considered. Aeromonas and Vibrio are two bacteria that we worry about, in particular. They can both cause severe blistering infections. Also it is vital to ask the patient about exposure to water as these bacteria require different antibiotics compared to standard cellulitis. For those readers who like the outdoors, it is worth remembering that leech bites complicated by cellulitis are often due to Aeromonas and require special antibiotics.
So there you have it - cellulitis in a nutshell. The take home message is that it is a common condition which has the potential to become very serious if not attended to promptly.
(The writer is an Infectious Diseases Physician and Associate Professor of Medicine at the Australian National University)
Mother's Warning To Others After Baby Daughter Suffered Horrific Symptoms After A Spider Bite
A mother-of-two has warned parents to 'trust your gut' after her baby suffered a horrific reaction to a spider bite.
Minnie Harris decided to call 111 after noticing a small red rash on her daughter, Emily's, knee.
After visiting the walk-in centre, doctors said Emily had a Cellulitis Infection and sent her home with antibiotics and a drawing around her rash with the instructions to come back if it spreads any further.
The 19-year-old mother rushed to A&E that evening after the rash persisted, she wrote in a TikTok video she wrote: 'When we got to A&E they put us straight in a room. Blisters had started to come up all over the rash.
A 19-year-old mother has issued a warning to parents, telling them to always get help if they think their child is at risk. 'It's better to be safe than sorry,' she said
She said her daughter Emily had been bitten by a spider and had a bad reaction, luckily she survived but the mum said it could've been 'much worse'
'She had a temperature of 40 and her hands and feet were freezing.'
Minnie said her daughter was given an IV drip, and gradually started to get better - though huge blisters began to form on her leg.
While Emily survived the infection, Minnie said the incident could have been 'much worse' and told her 32,500 followers to always respond to their instincts.
In her video, captioned 'Poorly Baby' she wrote: 'I am sharing this to raise awareness. Never let anyone tell you to 'just wait', 'you're being dramatic', 'she will be fine'.
'If you are concerned about anything even if it feels small, go with your gut! This infection came out of nowhere and spread up her whole leg in a matter of hours.
'I can't even begin to imagine what would have happened if I had just put her to bed as normal and waited it out. If you feel like something is wrong with your child, GET HELP! It's better to be safe than sorry.
In an updated video, Minnie said that 'spider bite' was written on her daughter's discharge papers which doctors explained had led to the cellulitis infection - though the type of spider is unknown.
Minnie Harris (pictured) decided to call 111 after noticing a small red rash on her daughter's knee
Minnie said her daughter was given an IV drip after being diagnosed with a cellulitis infection, after being - though she felt much better giant blisters began to form
According to the Verywell Health website spider and bug bites can puncture the skin leaving it 'vulnerable' to bacteria and other pathogens.
'Bugs don't carry these bacteria, but once a bug punctures your skin with a bite, the bacteria can enter your body if you're exposed to them,' it reads.
Since it was posted, the video has gained 21.8 million likes and has thousands of comments from parents praising Minnie's swift action and sending their thoughts for Emily.
'Celulitis is no joke at any age. Very dangerous. I'm glad you advocated and were listened to. Hope she heals quickly,' one person wrote.
Another added: 'I'm not a parent yet but this phrase 'It's better to be safe than sorry' is so underrated. Always trust your gut.'
One person, who said they have had cellulitis twice before commented: 'It's so dangerous and needs more awareness I'm glad she's doing better.'
What is cellulitis infection? And what signs should I look out for?Cellulitis is an infection that affects the skin and the tissue underneath.
The bacteria can enter the skin through an opening, such as cut, scrape, burn, or surgical incision, or a bug bite or sting.
Cellulitis can trigger sepsis in some people. Sepsis is the body's often deadly response to infection or injury. Sepsis kills and disables millions and requires early suspicion and treatment for survival.
Where does cellulitis occur?
The infection is most common on the lower legs, but it can happen anywhere on the body.
Symptoms of cellulitis:
- Redness around the area where the bacteria entered the skin
- Tenderness, soreness of the affected area
- Swelling
- Blisters
- Fever
Risk factors for cellulitis:
- People who have an impaired immune system are more vulnerable to contracting infections.
- Chronic illnesses such as diabetes can increase your risk of developing infections.
- Skin conditions or disorders can cause breaks in the skin where the bacteria can enter.
- People who are obese have a higher risk of having cellulitis and of getting it again.
- If you've had cellulitis before, you do have a higher risk of getting it again.
Treatment:
If you suspect you have cellulitis, see your doctor or nurse practitioner. If you are given antibiotics, it is vital that you take them as prescribed, right to the end of the prescription.
Source: Sepsis Alliance
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