Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can be very serious if it’s not treated promptly. Seniors are prone to developing cellulitis, so it’s something that you and your senior parent and their personal care at home provider should watch out for.
Seniors have a higher risk of developing cellulitis because they typically have poor circulation and because of the changes to their skin caused by aging. Small scrapes or openings in the skin caused by scratching or bumping against things can let in bacteria, which can lead to cellulitis.
One thing that can help prevent cellulitis is makings sure your mom or dad has personal care at home. Personal care at home is specialized care to help seniors with hygiene tasks like showering and brushing their teeth. Personal care at home includes help with getting dressed, or getting in and out of bed.
A care provider that is helping your mom or dad with tasks like showering and getting dressed can make sure that your mom or dad is washing their skin regularly and moisturizing every day. That can help prevent cracks that let in bacteria.
A care provider can also watch for these signs of cellulitis when they are helping your mom or dad shower and get dressed so that if your mom or dad may have cellulitis they can get treated.
Redness of the Skin
One of the most noticeable signs of cellulitis is redness in the affected area. The skin may appear bright red, and the redness often spreads as the infection worsens.
It usually starts in one area, like the legs or arms, but can grow larger over time. For seniors with thin or fragile skin, this symptom might be easier to spot, making it an early warning sign.
Swelling
Swelling is another common symptom of cellulitis. The affected area often becomes puffy and tender to the touch. The swelling occurs because the infection causes inflammation in the deeper layers of the skin and underlying tissues.
If your mom or dad already has swelling or edema because of medical conditions like diabetes you may notice that the swelling is worse than usual.
Pain or Tenderness
Cellulitis can be painful and cause discomfort for your mom or dad. The affected area may feel sore, tender, or painful, especially when touched or moved. A care provider who is helping your mom or dad get dressed may notice that your senior parent has more pain than usual.
For seniors, this pain can sometimes be mistaken for other issues, like arthritis or joint problems, so it’s important to consider it alongside other symptoms. Pain may also worsen as the infection spreads.
Warmth in the Affected Area
The infected skin is often warm to the touch. This heat is a sign of the body’s immune response to the bacteria causing the infection.
If you notice that a specific area of your senior loved one’s skin feels noticeably warmer than the surrounding skin, it could be a sign of cellulitis. This symptom is usually present even in the early stages of the infection.
Fever and Chills
As cellulitis progresses, seniors may develop systemic symptoms, such as fever, chills, and sweating. These signs indicate that the infection is spreading and that the body is working hard to fight it.
But, your mom or dad can have cellulitis and not have a fever. Not all seniors will develop a fever if they get this infection. If your mom or dad has other symptoms of cellulitis but doesn’t have a fever you should still get them checked out by a doctor.