Skin Infections and Cellulitis
Skin infections are another common issue for people with obesity. Bacteria like streptococcus or staphylococcus typically cause these infections. Infected areas of the skin are often swollen, red, painful, tender and warm to the touch.
The infection can take up residence wherever a crack in the skin permits bacteria to enter. Often that’s across the lower legs, but it can spread across the face or arms. Left untreated, skin infections can spread to the bloodstream and lymph nodes, and in rare instances, they can become life-threatening.
“The risk of cellulitis is higher in individuals with obesity, likely due to a combination of impaired skin barrier function, reduced lymphatic drainage, chronic inflammation, and increased susceptibility to bacterial infection,” says Christopher McGowan, MD, an obesity medicine specialist and the senior vice president of peri-procedural care at Everself.
“Skin folds create warmth, friction, and moisture retention, which makes them an ideal environment for irritation and microbial overgrowth,” Dr. McGowan says. “As a result, individuals with larger skin folds often experience recurrent rashes, itching, and secondary infections in areas such as beneath the breasts, in the groin, or under the abdominal fold.”
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