What should you know about inguinal cellulitis?

Cellulitis can cause skin redness, warmth, swelling and pain in the groin or nearby thigh. The affected area may expand over time, and the skin can look tight or shiny. Bacteria may enter through a shaving nick, insect bite, wound, ulcer or irritated skin. Athlete's foot can provide an entry point through cracked skin between the toes. A clinician may also consider a boil, inflamed lymph node, abscess or a sexually transmitted infection when assessing a groin change.

Arrange same-day medical advice for suspected cellulitis, particularly if redness is spreading or pain is increasing. Treatment commonly involves an antibiotic selected for the likely bacteria and the person's allergies, medical history and examination findings. Take it exactly as prescribed and complete the course unless the prescriber changes the plan. Keep the area clean, avoid shaving or squeezing it, and mark the edge of redness only if a clinician advises this so progression can be observed. Diabetes or reduced immunity can make infection harder to control and should be mentioned.

Go to urgent care immediately for rapidly spreading redness or swelling, severe pain, skin discoloration, blisters, confusion, faintness, breathing difficulty, persistent vomiting or a high fever. These can signal a serious infection, including sepsis, or a deeper problem requiring hospital treatment. Do not wait for a routine appointment if you feel suddenly very unwell.

Ask what may have allowed bacteria to enter, which warning signs should trigger reassessment, and whether diabetes, athlete's foot or another condition needs attention.