Health Blog

Despite their similar names, there is a huge difference between cellulite and cellulitis. Cellulite is considered a skin condition where as cellulitis is a bacterial infection.

In both cases, there are treatments and both cellulite and cellulitis can be treated.

What is Cellulite?

Cellulite is a skin condition caused by fatty deposits, which causes the skin to dimple and appear similar to an orange peel or cottage cheese. Cellulite generally affects middle-aged to elderly women. Men can still develop cellulite, but it is much more rare. A variety of factors involve the development of cellulite including: Heredity, skin thickness, gender, amount of body fat, age, and diet.

Cellulite can be treated in a variety of ways, although many treatments for cellulite are only somewhat successful. The most common treatment for cellulite is a cellulite cream. Cellulite creams use chemicals that break down fat. Dietary supplements also are used to enable a person to burn more fat – and hopefully get rid of cellulite.

Laser therapy is also another treatment option and the FDA has even approved two devices. However, laser treatments are much more expensive then other treatment methods, albeit they are much more effective.  Massage treatments have also been studied and have provided a fair amount of success for many people. However, they take longer for results to be seen.

What is Cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the dermis, which is the deepest layer of skin. Cellulitis also can infect the fat and soft tissue layers directly under the skin. Cellulitis generally starts out as a small, red area on the skin. It will slowly begin to spread and as it gets bigger, a person often will develop a fever and swollen glands.

The most common bacteria that causes cellulitis is “staph” bacteria. However, many different types of bacteria can cause cellulitis and each needs to be treated appropriately.

The most common areas affected by cellulitis include: the lower leg, the arms, head, or neck. However, cellulitis can occur anywhere. Cellulitis looks like a large rash and is associated with tenderness and pain.

Because cellulitis is a bacterial infection, the most common treatment is an antibiotic medication. If the cellulitis is resistant to the antibiotic medication, an alternate antibiotic will be given.  Sometimes, oral medications are not effective in treating cellulitis so a person will be given antibiotics intravenously.

Difference between Cellulitis and Cellulite

As you can now see, cellulite and cellulitis are two very different things. Cellulite is just a skin condition, whereas cellulitis is an actual infection of the deep layers of skin. The real cause of cellulite depends on a number of factors but cellulitis is always cause by bacteria.

Regardless if you have cellulitis of cellulite, both conditions need to be treated. If you suspect you have cellulite or cellulitis speak to your doctor to determine a course of action. The faster you treat your cellulite or cellulitis, the faster you can get rid of the problem before it worsens.