What are the treatment options for cellulitis?

Cellulitis is an infection of deeper skin and nearby soft tissue. A clinician checks the affected area, its borders, tenderness, and your general condition to decide whether oral treatment is suitable or whether urgent hospital assessment is needed. Antibiotics target the bacteria causing the infection; they do not treat every red or swollen patch, so the diagnosis matters. An abscess is a pocket of pus and may need a procedure to release it rather than antibiotics alone. Read about [Cellulitis](/conditions/cellulitis/) and [Abscess Drainage](/treatments/minor-procedures/abscess-drainage/).

Take prescribed medicine exactly as directed and do not share leftover antibiotics. Keep the area clean, avoid squeezing it, and follow any advice about elevation or dressings. Marking the edge of redness can help show whether it is spreading, but it does not replace review. If symptoms are not improving as expected, contact the treating clinician because the diagnosis, medicine, or need for drainage may need reassessment. See [Antibiotics For Skin Infection](/treatments/medical-dermatology/antibiotic-therapy-for-skin-infection/) and [Antibiotic Treatment](/treatments/medical-management/antibiotic-treatment/).

Seek urgent medical care for rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, fever, confusion, faintness, red streaks, skin turning dusky or black, or swelling near the eye. People with diabetes, poor circulation, immune suppression, or a recent procedure may need prompt assessment even when symptoms seem limited.

How confident are you that this is cellulitis rather than an abscess or another cause of redness? Which warning signs mean I should return urgently? Do I need drainage, a wound swab, or a change in treatment? How should I care for the skin while it heals?