Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection that causes redness, swelling, and pain in the infected area of the skin. If untreated, it can spread and cause serious health problems. Good wound care and hygiene are important for preventing cellulitis
What Is Cellulitis?
Cellulitis is a common infection of the skin and the soft tissues underneath. It happens when bacteria enter a break in the skin and spread. The result is infection, which may cause swelling, redness, pain, or warmth.
You’re at risk if you have:
Trauma to the skin
Diabetes
Circulatory problems, such as not enough blood flow to your arms and legs, poor drainage of your veins or lymphatic system, or varicose veins -- twisted, enlarged veins near the surface of the skin
Liver disease like chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis
Skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis, or infectious diseases that cause sores, like chickenpox
Cellulitis Causes
Things that cause cellulitis include:
Injuries that tear the skin
Infections after surgery
Long-term skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis
Foreign objects in the skin
Bone infections underneath the skin. (An example is a long-standing, open wound that is deep enough to expose the bone to bacteria.)
Cellulitis Symptoms
Cellulitis can appear on almost any part of the body. It usually shows up on damaged skin such as inflamed wounds, dirty cuts, and areas with poor circulation. It needs to be treated by a doctor. Common symptoms include:
Redness
Red streaks
Swelling
Warmth
Pain or tenderness
Leaking of yellow, clear fluid or pus
Go to the emergency room if you have any of these symptoms:
High fever or chills
Nausea and vomiting
Enlarging or hardening of the reddened area
Increased pain
Numbness when you touch the area
Other medical problems that may be affected by even a minor infection
Cellulitis Diagnosis
Your doctor will do a medical history and physical exam. Other procedures could include:
A blood test if they think the infection has spread to your blood
An X-ray if there’s a foreign object in your skin or the bone underneath is possibly infected
A culture. The doctor will use a needle to remove fluid from the area and send it to the lab.
Cellulitis Treatment
To care for cellulitis, you should:
Rest the area.
Elevate the area to ease swelling and discomfort.
Use over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen to ease the pain, as well as keep your fever down.
SUGGESTED
If the infection isn’t too bad, you can take antibiotics by mouth for a week to 14 days. Your doctor will schedule a follow-up appointment. They may use IV or intramuscular antibiotics if:
The infection is severe.
You have other medical problems.
You’re very young or very old.
The cellulitis covers large areas, is on your hands, or is close to body parts like your eyes.
The infection worsens even after taking antibiotics for 2 to 3 days.
In serious cases, you may need to stay in the hospital. You’ll get IV antibiotics until the infection is under control (2 to 3 days), and then go home with oral medicines.
Cellulitis Surgery
It’s rare, but severe cases may need surgery. For example, doctors may need to open and drain an abscess or pus that has collected in the tissue. They may also need to cut away dead tissue to allow healing.
Cellulitis Prevention
To keep from getting cellulitis:
Practice good personal hygiene and keep your skin clean.
Wear sturdy, well-fitting shoes or slippers with loose-fitting cotton socks. Don’t walk barefoot outdoors.
Wash injured skin with soap and water. Make sure it heals over the next few days.
Some injuries have a higher risk for cellulitis than others. Contact your doctor if you have:
Animal or human bites
Puncture wounds deeper than a half-inch, such as from stepping on a nail
Crushed tissue that bleeds
Burns that blister
Frostbite
Deep injuries with dirt in them
Injuries that touch seawater (making them more prone to infection), especially if you have liver disease
Diabetes or other significant medical conditions, such as liver or kidney disease
Swelling in your arms and legs that does not go away
Cellulitis Outlook
Most people with cellulitis respond to the antibiotics in 2 to 3 days and begin to improve. In rare cases, the cellulitis may spread through the bloodstream and become serious. Even more rarely, surgery is required to drain an abscess or remove dead tissue.