What should you know about treatment of cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection in deeper layers of skin and tissue. A clinician considers the affected body area, how quickly the redness is changing, fever, pain, swelling, and your general health before choosing treatment. A small, uncomplicated infection may be managed with medicine taken by mouth, while a more severe infection may need hospital treatment and medicine through a vein. The skin can look worse briefly even after treatment begins, so the direction of change matters.

Arrange a same-day medical assessment for spreading skin redness, warmth, swelling, or pain. Take prescribed medicine exactly as directed and do not use leftover antibiotics. Keep any break in the skin clean and covered, rest the affected limb, and raise it when practical to help with swelling. Treating an entry point such as Athlete's Foot can reduce repeated skin breaks. People with Type 2 Diabetes may need especially prompt review.

Seek urgent medical help if redness is spreading quickly, pain is severe or disproportionate, fever develops, you feel faint or confused, or the skin becomes blistered, dusky, or numb. These changes can signal a more serious infection. Call emergency services for trouble breathing, collapse, or marked confusion because Sepsis can affect the whole body.

Ask which signs show that treatment is working, whether the affected area should be measured or photographed, how to care for the skin opening, and what to do if Fever, Painful Skin, Skin Redness, or Skin Swelling worsens.