Which antibiotic treats cellulitis?

Cellulitis is usually treated with an antibiotic that covers the bacteria most likely to cause a deeper skin infection. The choice can change if there is pus, an open wound, a bite, a medicine allergy, kidney or liver disease, pregnancy, or a previous resistant infection. A clinician may also reconsider the diagnosis when the skin is itchy without warmth, or when swelling has another cause. Do not use an antibiotic left from another illness.

Have suspected cellulitis assessed before choosing medicine. Tell the prescriber about allergies, pregnancy, Type 2 Diabetes, immune conditions and all current medicines. Take the prescribed doses on schedule and complete the course unless the clinician changes the plan. Ask what to do if you vomit or miss a dose. Keep the area clean, avoid scratching, and contact the clinic if the skin continues to spread or you feel worse.

Seek urgent care for rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, fever, shaking, confusion, faintness, breathing difficulty, blistering or darkening skin. These symptoms may indicate a serious infection or sepsis and need more than a routine prescription discussion. Get advice about a possible medicine reaction if you develop facial swelling, wheezing, trouble breathing or a widespread blistering rash after a dose.

Ask why this antibiotic was selected, how to take it with food or other medicines, when improvement should be noticeable, which side effects matter, and what happens if the infection does not respond.