What should you know about Fucidin for cellulitis?

Cellulitis is an infection involving deeper layers of skin and the tissue beneath them. It can cause spreading redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, and sometimes fever. Fucidin is a topical antibiotic that stays on the surface, so it should not be used as a substitute for an assessment or prescribed treatment for [Cellulitis](/conditions/cellulitis/).

A break in the skin, an ulcer, or [Athlete's Foot](/conditions/athletes-foot/) can provide an entry point for bacteria. People with [Type 2 Diabetes](/conditions/type-2-diabetes/) may need especially careful evaluation of a foot or leg infection.

Contact a clinician promptly if you suspect cellulitis. Do not rely on leftover Fucidin, cover a spreading area with makeup, or wait for a cream to work. Keep the skin clean, avoid rubbing it, and raise an affected limb when practical. Note whether the red or swollen area is expanding so you can describe the change accurately.

A clinician may prescribe an oral antibiotic or another treatment after examining the site. Follow the instructions and arrange review if symptoms are not moving in the expected direction. [Skin Redness](/symptoms/skin-redness/), [Skin Swelling](/symptoms/skin-swelling/), and [Painful Skin](/symptoms/skin-pain/) can help you describe the symptoms, but they do not replace examination.

Seek urgent medical help for rapidly spreading redness or swelling, severe pain, blistering, faintness, confusion, breathing difficulty, or a [Fever](/symptoms/fever/). These can signal a serious infection; untreated infection can progress to [Sepsis](/conditions/sepsis/). Infection around the eye, on the face, or in a person who is very unwell needs urgent assessment.

Does this look like cellulitis or a more superficial problem? Which treatment reaches the infected tissue? Should the area be reviewed, and do I need advice about an entry point such as athlete's foot or a wound?