What should you know about clostridial cellulitis?

Clostridial bacteria can enter through a wound, puncture, surgical site, or damaged skin. The infection may spread through deeper tissues and can produce swelling, redness, severe skin pain, fever, or gas in the tissues. This is different from mild irritation and should not be managed with home remedies. Risk can be higher when circulation or immune defenses are impaired, including with Type 2 Diabetes or an untreated foot infection such as Athlete's Foot.

Seek emergency medical assessment if this infection is suspected. Keep the area clean and uncovered unless a clinician has applied a dressing, avoid squeezing or massaging it, and do not delay care while waiting to see whether redness settles. Hospital treatment may include intravenous antibiotics, tests, wound care, and surgery to remove infected or dead tissue.

Go to an emergency department immediately for rapidly expanding redness or swelling, severe or worsening pain, fever, chills, confusion, faintness, blisters, skin that changes colour, or a crackling feeling under the skin. These can accompany a serious infection or Sepsis and require prompt treatment.

Ask which tissue is affected, whether imaging or surgery is needed, which antibiotics will be used, and how the wound will be monitored after discharge.