Cellulitis usually causes redness, swelling, and tenderness. Good hygiene and skin care can help prevent cellulitis. Watch any breaks in the skin for signs of infection.
Untreated cellulitis can lead to amputation, shock, and even death. Next steps Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider: Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen. Before your visit, write down questions you want answered. Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.
Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are. Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways. Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure. If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit. As well as taking antibiotics for cellulitis, you can help speed up your recovery by:. If it's not treated quickly, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, such as the blood, muscles and bones. These are symptoms of serious complications, which can be life threatening.
The bacteria can infect the deeper layers of your skin if it's broken, for example, because of an insect bite or cut, or if it's cracked and dry. You cannot catch cellulitis from another person, as it affects the deeper layers of the skin. People who are more at risk of cellulitis should treat athlete's foot promptly. Treating underlying conditions that make you more vulnerable to cellulitis, such as edema, eczema and diabetes , is also helpful in clearing up the present infection and preventing a recurrence.
More serious infections may require hospitalization for administration of antibiotics via IV and close monitoring for complications and improvement. While complications are rare, they can be serious and life-threatening. Sometimes, severe cellulitis can cause the surrounding tissue to die. Rarely, bacteria can enter the bloodstream, spreading the infection to distant parts of the body. If you have recurring episodes of cellulitis, your doctor may recommend taking a long-term course of preventive antibiotics to keep the infection at bay.
It also may help to visit with a dermatologist or an infectious disease specialist to look for other causes of your symptoms. By Liza Torborg. Certain factors can put you at greater risk of cellulitis, including: Wounds, cuts or incisions Any opening in the skin — from a small scratch or an insect bite to an ulcer or a recent surgery — can provide an entryway for bacteria. It affects about Signs and symptoms of cellulitis include skin redness, pain, tenderness, and warmth.
Severe infections may additionally cause blisters, nausea, fever, and confusion. If you suspect you have cellulitis, see your doctor or a dermatologist without delay. Another type of bacteria that can cause cellulitis is P asteurella multocida , which is most commonly transmitted to humans from an animal scratch or bite. Some of the other factors that raise the risk of cellulitis include:. To reduce the risk of developing cellulitis, wash all minor wounds with soap and water as soon as possible, cover cuts and scrapes with gauze or an adhesive bandage to protect the wound, and check wounds daily for signs of infection and healing.
If you see a wound getting worse rather than better, consider seeing a doctor, particularly if you have diabetes. Guanche says. Cellulitis, on the other hand, is a bacterial infection of the skin, often appearing as a warm, red, tender, swollen area, Guanche says. Having cellulitis one time increases your risk for getting it again, but steps can be taken to reduce that risk.
In addition, take measures to reduce skin injuries. Wear protective gear when playing sports and working outdoors, wear sunscreen to prevent a sunburn, limit contact with unfamiliar animals, and apply insect repellent to avoid bug bites. If you get a wound of any kind, clean it thoroughly with warm, soapy water to rinse out dirt and bacteria.
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