Antibiotic treatment for foot cellulitis

Cellulitis can cause a tender, warm, red or swollen area that may expand. A clinician checks the skin, the extent of redness, body temperature and whether there is a wound, ulcer, bite or fungal infection between the toes. A mild infection may be treated with medicine taken by mouth. More serious illness, rapid spread or difficulty taking tablets may require hospital care and antibiotics through a vein. Other problems can look similar, so diagnosis matters.

Take the prescribed antibiotic exactly as directed and do not share leftover tablets. Tell the prescriber about allergies, pregnancy, kidney problems and other medicines. Keep the foot clean, protect any wound as advised, and raise it when resting. Marking the edge of redness can help show whether it is spreading, but do not delay care if the area expands. Complete the prescribed course unless a clinician changes the plan. Improvement may take time; contact the prescriber if symptoms are not settling as expected.

Seek urgent care for rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, fever, confusion, faintness, blisters, skin turning dark, or red streaks moving up the leg. Urgent assessment is also needed for swelling around the eye, loss of feeling, or a foot wound in someone with diabetes or poor circulation. Emergency symptoms such as breathing difficulty or facial swelling after an antibiotic may signal a serious allergic reaction.

Ask which signs show that treatment is working, when the foot should be rechecked, how to care for the entry wound, and what to do if diarrhoea, rash or another reaction occurs.