How to Treat Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a spreading infection of deeper skin and nearby soft tissue. It may begin around a break in the skin, an insect bite, a wound, or cracked skin between the toes. Redness, heat, tenderness, swelling, and fever can occur.

The choice of medicine and route of treatment depends on the examination and factors such as allergies, immune health, diabetes, and whether an abscess or wound also needs attention.

Get medical advice promptly and follow the prescribed schedule. Do not share antibiotics or save unused tablets for another episode. Wash gently, keep any wound covered as advised, and avoid rubbing, shaving, or applying irritating products over the area.

Resting and elevating an affected arm or leg may ease swelling. Check the skin regularly and contact the treating clinician if the area expands, becomes more painful, or new symptoms appear.

Seek urgent care for rapidly spreading Skin Redness, severe Painful Skin, increasing Skin Swelling, or Fever. Go to emergency care if you develop confusion, collapse, breathing trouble, or extreme weakness; these can signal a severe infection such as Sepsis.

A foot infection, diabetes, or reduced immunity lowers the threshold for prompt review because healing and spread may be harder to predict.

What makes this cellulitis rather than another skin problem? How should I take the prescribed treatment? When should I be reviewed, and what should I do if symptoms worsen before then?