What should you know about internal cellulitis?

Cellulitis is an infection that can enter through a cut, crack, bite, wound, or irritated skin. Athlete's foot can create breaks between the toes, allowing bacteria to enter. The affected area may become red, swollen, warm, and painful, and the border can expand over time. Fever or feeling unwell may occur.

The word internal does not mean the infection is harmless or invisible. It may be used to distinguish deeper soft-tissue involvement from a surface scrape, but examination is needed to judge severity. People with diabetes or reduced immune defences may need particularly prompt evaluation.

Arrange same-day medical assessment for a rapidly spreading red, hot, swollen, or painful area, especially when fever or chills are present. A clinician may inspect the skin, look for an entry point, and prescribe treatment when bacterial cellulitis is diagnosed.

Do not squeeze the area or rely on leftover antibiotics. Keep any wound clean and covered as advised, rest the affected limb if comfortable, and mark or photograph the edge of redness only if this does not delay care. Treating a foot-scale infection or other entry point can help prevent recurrence, but it does not replace assessment of active cellulitis.

Seek urgent medical help for severe or rapidly increasing pain, rapidly spreading redness or swelling, high fever, confusion, faintness, fast breathing, or a very unwell feeling. Emergency care is also appropriate for swelling near the eye, loss of movement, numbness, or skin that turns dark or develops blisters.

Tell the clinician when the change began, how quickly it spread, whether there was a wound or athlete's foot, and whether you have diabetes or immune problems. Ask what treatment is planned, how soon improvement should begin, and which changes require reassessment.