What should you know about common cause of cellulitis?

Healthy skin is a barrier. When it is broken, bacteria from the skin surface or surroundings can reach deeper tissue, causing warmth, redness, swelling and pain. A small entry point may be hard to see. Athlete’s foot can create cracks between the toes, while eczema, an ulcer, a bite, surgery or an injection can also provide an opening. Diabetes, poor circulation or swelling can make skin easier to damage and infection harder to control.

Clean minor cuts with water, cover them with a clean dressing and avoid picking scabs. Treat persistent scaling or cracking on the feet with professional advice. If cellulitis is suspected, arrange prompt assessment rather than applying creams left from another illness. A clinician may mark the edge of redness to help judge whether it is spreading.

Get same-day medical advice for expanding redness, increasing warmth, swelling, pain or fever. Go urgently for severe pain, confusion, faintness, fast breathing, blue or blotchy skin, or a rapidly worsening illness, because these can signal a serious infection such as sepsis. People with diabetes or reduced immunity should not delay assessment.

Ask where the bacteria may have entered, whether a foot or wound problem needs treatment, how to protect the skin and what changes should prompt urgent review.