Cellulitis caused by Streptococcus pyogenes

Streptococcus pyogenes may enter through a crack, abrasion, wound, ulcer or inflamed skin. The surrounding tissue can become hot, red, swollen and painful, with the affected area sometimes enlarging quickly. Fever or chills may accompany the skin changes. These features indicate a need for assessment, but symptoms alone cannot identify the organism. A clinician also considers the location, speed of change, wound history and your general health.

Gently clean any open area, cover it with a fresh dressing and avoid rubbing or applying unprescribed creams. Resting and elevating a swollen limb may ease pressure while you arrange care, but it does not replace treatment. Contact a healthcare professional promptly for spreading redness, increasing tenderness or fever, because bacterial skin infections can extend beyond the original break.

Get urgent medical attention for rapidly worsening redness or swelling, severe pain, blisters, skin colour changes, red streaks, fever, chills or difficulty moving the area. Emergency services are appropriate for confusion, faintness, extreme weakness or breathing problems. Seek early advice if you have diabetes, poor circulation or a weakened immune system.

Ask whether the infection needs antibiotics, how to monitor its edge and when improvement should begin. Explain how quickly it changed, where the skin opened, whether drainage is present, and any medication allergies or previous skin infections.