ELI5- What’s the difference between cellulitis and an abscess?
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Cellulitis is an infection of the skin that makes it all red and swollen, while an abscess is a pus-filled lump that’s super painful.
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and the soft tissue underneath the skin. It is caused by bacteria entering the skin through a wound or cut, or through the bite of an insect. Symptoms include redness, swelling, and warmth in the affected area. Treatment typically includes antibiotics and rest. An abscess is a pocket of pus that forms in the body due to a bacterial infection. It is usually caused by a bacterial infection, such as a staph infection, that has spread from another area of the body. Symptoms include pain, swelling, redness, and warmth in the affected area. Treatment typically includes antibiotics and drainage of the abscess.
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the deeper layers of the skin, while an abscess is a collection of pus that can occur anywhere in the body, including the skin. Cellulitis is usually caused by bacteria entering the skin through a cut or other wound, while an abscess is caused by a bacterial infection that has spread to the deeper layers of the skin.
Cellulitis is an infection of the subcutaneous tissue I.e. the fat and connective tissue that underlies the skin. It can manifest as profuse swelling around a wound (for example, swelling of a portion of a limb).
An abscess is the body’s reaction to a foci (location in the body) where bacteria have been successfully able to establish. It is basically the body’s attempt to wall-off present bacteria in order for the white blood cells to eliminate them more effectively. The abscess is a capsule of tissue that fills with pus, which is the product of white blood cell breakdown as they fight to eliminate bacteria present at the site.
An abscess is a universal response to a small location where bacterial infection has occurred – it can occur in most tissues, however cellulitis only refers to infection of subcutaneous tissue.
Cellulitis is an infection happening in the layers of skin. It can be fairly spread out but is contained within the skin. It looks like a rash.
An abscess is more like a pocket of infection that can appear anywhere on the body and can involve more than just the skin. For instance, you can get an abscess in your gums or in an internal organ. It’s sort of like a pimple on steroids.