What should you know about cellulitis of the testicles?

Cellulitis usually affects the skin and tissues around the scrotum, not necessarily the testicle itself. Redness, warmth, tenderness and swelling may follow a small cut, shaving irritation, an insect bite, a skin condition, or an infection that entered through broken skin. Athlete's Foot can cause cracks in nearby skin. Scrotal swelling and pain can also have causes that need different treatment, including problems involving the testicle, groin or deeper tissues, so a clinician should examine you rather than relying on a photograph or self-diagnosis.

Get medical advice promptly for new scrotal redness, warmth, swelling or tenderness. Keep the area clean, avoid shaving or rubbing it, and do not squeeze a lump or apply strong antiseptics. Wear supportive, comfortable underwear while arranging assessment. If antibiotics are prescribed, take them as directed and complete the plan unless the prescriber changes it. Mention urinary symptoms, discharge, recent sexual contact, injury, bites, procedures or skin breaks because they can change the evaluation.

Go to an emergency department for sudden or severe testicular pain, a testicle that sits unusually high, nausea or vomiting with pain, rapidly increasing swelling, dusky or blistered skin, fever with marked illness, confusion or faintness. These signs can represent a surgical emergency or a serious infection such as Sepsis and should not be watched at home.

Ask whether the infection is limited to scrotal skin, whether the testicle or deeper tissues need testing, which treatment is needed, and which changes require immediate return. Ask how to protect the skin while it heals.