Deep Cellulitis Infections Leading To Amputation

You may have heard of cellulitis infections leading to amputations. But how often does it happen, and what is to blame?

Cellulitis infections leading to amputation? Pretty scary stuff! What's really going on here? Cellulitis is a deep infection in the subcutaneous layer of the skin, it can be caused by any number of things such as natural indigenous microflora found on everyone’s body, exogenous bacteria from the environment and it occurs in areas where the skin is broken. Skin of the face or lower extremities are the two most commonly affected areas, treatment involves administering appropriate antibiotics. However, deep cellulitis infections leading to amputation are becoming more common with the surge in super bugs present today.

One such super bug is MRSA (Methicillan Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) bacteria. This is a simple Staph bacterium that has become immune to the antibiotic which is used to treat it; it is found in hospitals, daycare centers, gymnasiums, nursing homes or dialysis centers. Healthy people are said to be “colonized”, or not affected by the staph bacteria that may be present on the skin or around the nose.

If a person develops an infection from staph, this can lead to the development of cellulitis, which in turn can turn into a flesh eating bacterium. It is untreatable with traditional antibiotics because it has become resistant. Staph bacteria are generally harmless, unless it finds a port of entry into the body of a person with a weakened or immunocompromised (HIV) immune system. Staph will then run rampant and over take the person’s body.

There have been many reasons why this bacteria has morphed into a super bug, over use of antibiotics being the first, the antibiotics in food and water, germ mutation which happens when a person is prescribe a course of antibiotics but doesn’t finish taking them all, the bacteria morphs and becomes stronger as a result.

The most common way to treat deep cellulitis infections leading to amputation, is through surgical removal of the infected limb and the to follow up with stringent hygiene and Vancomycin antibiotics. MRSA infections are on the rise because 50% of health care workers do NOT engage in routine hand washing and universal precautions while in contact with patients. Or elderly patients will transferred from extended care to a hospital for various reasons and they can also harbor MRSA bacteria. There are many methods of transmission and doctors and health care professionals are looking for new ways to treat this virulent infection that can become fatal in a number of days if left untreated.

MRSA is not just a problem in the US, it has become a worldwide epidemic and it is expensive and difficult to treat. Doctors are having to result to harsher antibiotics to combat this bacteria, the most common drug to treat it is vancomycin and we are now seeing strains of staph that are becoming resistant to the hospitals last resort antibiotic, as two cases of VRSA (Vancomycin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) have now been reported.

It is a scary thing when the hospitals are the biggest route of transmission for MRSA, but even worse when it evolves in deep cellulitis infections leading to amputation. By practicing simple use of gloves and hand washing in between patients, cases of MRSA could be cut but up to 65%; this is a very disturbing statistic. Always insist on seeing your health care worker wash their hands, use probe covers and gloves before coming into contact with you and prior to being hospitalized, should you become unable to speak appoint someone to act on your behalf, it could mean the difference between life and death.

For more information on cellulitis infections, check out this article.

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