One night as Chris Banting was undressing for bed, he was surprised when his wife Helen pointed out to him that the back of his right calf was a worrying scarlet colour.

‘It was strange because I wasn’t in any discomfort at all,’ says Chris, 62.

‘If you have an infection, you think you’d be in pain or running a temperature, but I felt fine.’

It was November 2007 and the busiest time of the year in his job as a charity fundraising manager, but he decided it was something he should get checked out.

In fact, Chris was suffering from cellulitis – a serious bacterial infection of the skin.

Left untreated, the bacteria can spread through the body and cause potentially fatal blood poisoning or an infection of the muscle, bone or heart valve.

Around 70,000 people are hospitalised with it every year.

Cellulitis – not to be confused with cellulite – affects the deep layer of skin known as the dermis, and sometimes the layer of fat and soft tissues beneath.

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Initially, it causes the skin to become sore, red and swollen.

Though it commonly affects the lower legs, it can occur on any part of the body.

Dr Nick Lowe, consultant dermatologist and spokesperson for the British Skin Foundation, explains that we all have bacteria living on our skin.

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Usually this doesn’t cause any harm, but if the skin is damaged by an ulcer, cut, graze or insect bite, or even if it is simply cracked through conditions such as eczema, the bacteria can get in, causing an infection.

Nail infections or ingrown toenails can also be a source.

‘When this happens, the infected area becomes inflamed, tender, red and often hot,’ says Dr Lowe.

‘It may also blister. The infection is usually accompanied by symptoms of feeling generally unwell, including fever and nausea.’

Those with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable, as their bodies lack the strength to fight off the infection.

Other risk factors include diabetes, as it often causes poor blood supply to the skin, which may lead to ulcers that can serve as an entry point for bacteria.

Athlete’s foot can also make you more prone to cellulitis, as this may cause the skin to crack.

A severe case of cracked heels could make you more vulnerable, too. As can lymphoedema – a condition that causes swelling in a part of the body because of fluid build-up under the skin.

Read the rest of the article

October 9, 2009

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