Patient/caregiver was educated on risk factors for cellulitis as follows:
- Smoking: Both active and passive smoking can reduce the ability of white blood cells to fight infections, compromise the overall immunity, and contribute to increased risk for cellulitis.
- Uncontrolled diabetes: Poorly controlled blood sugars in diabetic individuals can limit white blood cell synthesis and reduce the ability of immune system to fight infections, thus increasing risk for cellulitis. Chronic hyperglycemia also shuts down the blood vessels and compromises the circulation, thus reducing blood supply to tissues. Reduced blood supply can contribute to poor infection control & healing of injured skin tissue, leading to cellulitis. Also, elevated blood sugars in tissues is a favorable medium for growth of bacteria, leading to cellulitis.
- Chronic skin conditions: Individuals with history of chronic inflammatory skin conditions, such as, eczema, dermatitis, and shingles present with broken skin lesions that can potentially get infected and present with cellulitis.
