Cellulitis is a condition caused by a bacterial infection in the skin, most commonly caused by staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria, according to MedlinePlus. A person normally has several types of bacteria living harmlessly on the surface of the skin, but bacteria may enter through cracks in the skin or a wound, causing inflammation, swelling and skin that is hot to the touch---a condition known as cellulitis. An oral antibiotic is prescribed for an early case of cellulitis, but if the antibiotics do not resolve cellulitis within two weeks, more aggressive treatment will be given.
Intravenous Antibiotics
Intravenous antibiotics will be administered through a needle in the patient's arm. This treatment is usually administered at a hospital and given to patients whose cellulitis is advancing and will not respond to oral antibiotics. Doctors will chose an antibiotic effective in treating both staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria, according to MayoClinic.com.
Pain Relief
Advancing cellulitis can be painful, and pain relievers are usually administered, as needed. As cellulitis progresses, skin tissue begins to die, causing increased pain for the patient; the strength of pain relievers may be increased, as needed.
Removal of Dead Tissue
Cellulitis may grow into a necrotizing skin infection, which means the skin tissue dies from infection, according to The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. A necrotizing skin infection is caused by the clotting action of small blood vessels in the area affected with cellulitis. A healthy immune system fights infection by delivering white blood cells and antibodies through the bloodstream. In cases of advanced cellulitis, the small blood vessels clot, preventing the blood from reaching tissue infected with cellulitis. This tissue begins to die from infection and lack of blood. Surgery can be performed to remove this dead and dying tissue while it is still in the skin. Delay in removing this dead tissue worsens the prognosis. Antibiotics will be given alongside the removal of dead tissue.
Amputation
Amputation of the affected limb is reserved for only the most advanced cases of cellulitis, when large amounts of bone, skin and tissue are affected. Overall death rate from a necrotizing skin infection is about 30 percent, according to The Merck Manuals Online Medical Library. Older patients, those with other medical conditions and people with very advanced cases of cellulitis have a worse outcome. The patient will continue to receive antibiotics after surgery.
Hyperbaric Chamber
Hyperbaric chambers are sometimes recommended by physicians, but it is unclear if the high-pressure oxygen chamber has a positive effect. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry states that during a treatment in a hyperbaric chamber, oxygen can be dissolved directly into the blood. This would deliver oxygen to the affected areas of the body where cellulitis is obstructing proper blood flow.
