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Mercy dermatologist Dr. Oanh Lauring

Mercy Dermatologist Dr. Oanh Lauring Addresses "Treating Cellulitis" On WBAL-TV11's "Woman's Doctor"

Cellulitis is a fairly common skin infection that comes on quite rapidly and tends to occur more in women than men, and doctors said it's quite painful and needs prompt attention.

Bonnie Koesters had her first bout of cellulitis after she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

"I fell and got a little cut on my leg. It got sore, then I was having trouble walking. My leg was swollen and it got very red," she said.

Cellulitis was the diagnosis, and since it wasn't treated right away, Koesters ended up in the hospital on IV antibiotics for nine days.

Mercy Medical Center dermatologist Dr. Oanh Lauring said cellulitis often starts with an injury.

"The normal bacteria has the chance to get in the skin and cause an infection or inflammation underneath. Part of the infection is causing redness, pain, heat and swelling in that area," she said.

Those who are most at risk for cellulitis include people with diabetes, those who are immuno-suppressed, those who have eczema or psoriasis or people with a history of peripheral vascular disease.

"You can feel how woody and hard the leg is. It almost feels like wood bark -- that kind of textural change," Dr. Lauring said.

Koesters said she has learned to treat any signs of infection promptly and is hoping to avoid another hospital stay.

For more information and to watch Dr. Lauring's interview with WBAL-TV11, click this link: http://www.wbaltv.com/womansdoctor/22990532/detail.html