Which specialist treats cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection in deeper layers of skin. It may cause an expanding area of redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, and sometimes fever. A clinician examines the skin and checks how quickly it is changing, whether an entry point such as a wound or insect bite is present, and whether conditions such as athlete's foot or type 2 diabetes affect the plan.

Treatment commonly involves antibiotics selected after the examination. Severe illness, infection near the eye, inability to take medicine by mouth, or concern about a deeper infection may require hospital assessment and treatment through a vein.

Contact a doctor promptly rather than waiting for the redness to settle on its own. Marking the edge of redness with a pen and noting the time can help show whether it is spreading. Keep any wound clean, rest the affected limb when practical, and tell the clinician about allergies, recent antibiotics, diabetes, immune problems, and previous cellulitis.

Go to urgent care for rapidly spreading redness, severe pain, high fever, vomiting, faintness, confusion, or a red rash with fever. Facial swelling, especially around an eye or mouth, needs urgent assessment. Call emergency services for breathing difficulty, collapse, or profound weakness, because a serious spreading infection can affect the whole body.

Ask: Where is the infection and how extensive is it? Which antibiotic is suitable, and how should I take it? What improvement should I look for? What should I do if the redness extends beyond the mark? Do I need treatment for athlete's foot or another entry point?