There are so many diseases that manifest as a result of complications after getting treated for another major illness. Cellulitis is one of them. If you haven’t heard about it before, then you are not alone. There are so many people, who lack awareness when it comes to such diseases. But worry not, we are here to help. In this article, we will discuss cellulitis in women. Read on to find out everything that you need to know about cellulitis.
In this article:
What is it?
Symptoms of Cellulitis in Women
Causes of Cellulitis in Women
Treatment for Cellulitis in Women
Diagnosis of Cellulitis in Women
Home Remedies for Cellulitis in Women
All You Need to Know about Cellulitis in Women
What is it?
Cellulitis is a disease that can affect anywhere the body. It is a type of serious bacterial infection affecting the skin of the breast. This condition may occur from the broken skin, but it’s most often the result of complications from surgery or cancer treatments. While a lot of women usually go through breast surgery without developing an infection, in some rare cases, women are affected.
Symptoms of Cellulitis in Women
The symptoms of breast cellulitis manifest if the skin is broken or cut down in any way. This includes breast cancer surgery and other related incisions. If you have recently undergone treatment for cancer, then a simple cut can lead to cellulitis. Symptoms of breast cellulitis may include:
- Redness and swelling
- Tenderness
- Fever
- Chills
- Pain when touched
- A wound oozing clear or yellow fluids
- Rash
- Red streaks developing from the rash
If you develop any symptoms that may indicate breast cellulitis, then you should not wait at all and immediately consult a doctor.
Causes of Cellulitis in Women
Cellulitis can occur anywhere in the body. It’s a bacterial infection that affects skin tissues just underneath the skin’s surface. A decreased immune system can also increase your risk of cellulitis.
Breast cellulitis isn’t caused by infected cuts like in other cases of the infection. Instead, this type of infection is the result of cancer treatments or surgeries. Lymph node removal in the patient can weaken your immune system and increase your risk for cellulitis in the upper body. This includes your breasts. This infection can also occur after breast enhancement surgeries.
Treatment for Cellulitis in Women
Breast cellulitis is treated with antibiotics. These are typically taken for 7–10 days to make sure that the infection doesn’t come back. Take the entire prescription as directed. Your doctor will see you after a few weeks to make sure the infection has totally gone. Ask your doctor if you can take over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), to help ease discomfort while the antibiotics run their course. If you don’t respond to prescription antibiotics, your doctor may recommend intravenous antibiotics given at the hospital.
Diagnosis of Cellulitis in Women
Cellulitis tends to develop and spread rapidly. So, if you suspect anything, consult a doctor immediately. This can help prevent the infection from getting worse and causing further complications. Your doctor will first perform a physical exam. If for some reason you can’t see a doctor right away, seek help from an urgent care center or the emergency room.
Home Remedies for Cellulitis in Women
Essential Oils
You Will Need
- 2-3 drops of tea tree oil
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
What You Have to do
- Add two drops of tea tree oil to a tablespoon of coconut oil and mix well.
- Gently apply this mixture to the affected area.
- Leave it on for at least 2 to 3 hours.
- Wash it off with water.
How Often You Should do this
You must do this twice daily, preferably every morning and evening.
Why this Works
Given the wonderful antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil, it’s no surprise that it can help in treating cellulitis. This oil is quite effective against a wide range of microbes, and can hence be used to fight the bacterial infection causing cellulitis. The anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil can also help in reducing the swelling and redness in the affected area.
Oregano Essential Oil
You Will Need
- 3-4 drops of oregano essential oil
- 1 tablespoon of any carrier oil (coconut or olive oil)
What You Have to do
- Mix a few drops of oregano essential oil with a carrier oil of your choice.
- Apply this blend to the affected area and leave it on for 3 to 4 hours.
How Often You Should do this
Do this 2 to 3 times every day.
Why this Works
Oregano essential oil possesses amazing antibacterial properties that can help in getting rid of the staph bacteria responsible for causing cellulitis. Additionally, the wound-healing potential of oregano oil can help reduce the symptoms of cellulitis and accelerate healing.
Coconut Oil
You Will Need
1 tablespoon of virgin coconut oil
What You Have to do
- Take a tablespoon of virgin coconut oil and massage it gently on the affected area.
- Leave it on and allow your skin to absorb it completely.
How Often You Should do this
You must do this twice daily.
Why this Works
Coconut oil has excellent antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties due to the presence of medium-chain fatty acids. It also helps in keeping your skin well moisturized.
Therefore, to conclude, cellulitis in women is not contagious, so as long as it can be detected at the right time.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6303460/
