Mismanaged Cellulitis can Lead to Life-threatening Complications

What is Cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a common skin infection caused by bacteria, and is a potentially serious condition that must be treated immediately. It appears as a red, swollen area on the skin and feels tender and hot. Cellulitis tends to spread rapidly to other regions in the body, but is not a communicable disease. The commonly affected regions include the lower legs, but may also develop on the face or rest of the body. In severe cases, cellulitis may also affect the tissues beneath the skin, and spread to the lymph nodes or into the bloodstream.

Cellulitis when left untreated can become life-threatening. Immediate diagnosis and treatment is critical to prevent the condition from advancing further.

Symptoms

Cellulitis exhibits the following symptoms and signs, usually on one side of the body:

· Swelling

· Pain

· Tenderness and warmth

· Fever

· Redness and expansion of the skin

· Red spots or blisters

· Dimpling of skin

Causes of Cellulitis

Bacteria such as streptococcus or staphylococcus that enter the skin through a crack or open wounds, are the common causes of cellulitis. A staphylococcus infection that occurs on a more serious level, called methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, is becoming increasingly common in the United States.

The infection most commonly develops in the lower leg. The cellulitis-causing bacteria can enter the body from anywhere, in locations where you have undergone recent surgery, ulcers or wounds, open cuts, dermatitis or athlete's foot.

Insect or spider bites can also cause a bacterial attack. They can also enter through regions on the skin that are dry, flaky, or swollen.

Risk Factors of Cellulitis

Certain factors and conditions are known to increase the risk of developing cellulitis, such as:

· Open injuries

· Weak immune system

· Previous history of cellulitis

· Obesity

· Skin conditions such as chickenpox, shingles, eczema, or athlete's foot

· Drugs consumption

Mismanagement of Cellulitis and its Complications

Medical negligence can often lead to the mismanagement of cellulitis, which is a malpractice. Common occurrences of hospital negligence include:

· Misdiagnosis of cellulitis (mistaking cellulitis for other less serious conditions with similar symptoms)

· Failure to diagnose cellulitis

· Delay in diagnosis of cellulitis

· Improper administration of medication for cellulitis

· Administering medication that the patient is allergic to

· Surgical errors if and when treatment of severe cellulitis involves surgery

When cellulitis is mismanaged, it can lead to a variety of critical complications for the patient. The bacteria causing cellulitis spread rapidly and enter the lymph nodes or spread into the bloodstream. When cellulitis recurs repeatedly, it can damage the body's lymphatic drainage system and lead to chronic swelling in the limb affected. It may also spread to the deep fascial tissue lining, becoming a medical emergency.

File a Medical Malpractice Lawsuit to make this Situation Right

The New York City medical malpractice attorneys at Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff, & Wolff (RMFW) can determine if your case is a possible winner after the first meeting and after they have gather some pertinent information. This process, this first consultation will cost you nothing.

RMFW can be found in Astoria, Queens, New York City, and they have two offices in Brooklyn.

Our number is 212-344-1000 and we will have a happy voice waiting to hear from you. You have been treated unfairly and we can help you get to the bottom of it and get you paid. Do you want your bank account to be larger? Do you want to be able to pay your bills and perhaps buy some new furniture or help your kids in college? Give us a call if you want to possibly see a brighter tomorrow.