Cellulitis what is it treatment

If you have a severe infection, an emergency room doctor may examine you first. You may also be referred to an infectious disease specialist.

Preparing a list of questions can help you make sure that you cover the points that are important to you. For cellulitis, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:. You may need a prescription antibiotic to clear your infection. However, until you see your doctor, you can wash the injured area with soap and water and place a cool, damp cloth over the affected area for relief. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis Your doctor will likely be able to diagnose cellulitis by looking at your skin. There are around Some bacteria are naturally present on the skin and do not usually cause harm. However, if they enter the skin, an infection can result.

Bacteria can enter through cuts, grazes, or bites. It can start suddenly and become life threatening without prompt treatment. Mild cases involve a localized infection , with redness in one area. More serious cases involve a rapidly spreading infection that can lead to sepsis.

Early treatment with antibiotics is usually successful. Most people receive treatment at home, but some need to receive it in a hospital. A mild case of cellulitis usually responds to oral antibiotic treatment in 7—14 days. The symptoms may initially worsen, but they usually start improving within 2 days. Different types of antibiotics can treat cellulitis. The doctor will decide on the best option, after taking into account the type of bacteria behind the infection and factors specific to each person.

A doctor may prescribe a low-dose oral antibiotic for long term use to prevent reoccurrence. In the hospital, most people with this type of infection receive antibiotic treatment intravenously, with a drip that delivers the medication through a vein in the arm. Cellulitis can occur anywhere on the body, including the hands and feet.

Adults tend to develop cellulitis in the lower leg, while children tend to develop it on the face or neck. The following symptoms may occur in the affected area:. In addition, the lymph glands may swell and become tender. Cellulitis in the leg, for example, may affect the lymph glands in the groin. Bacteria from the Streptococcus and Staphylococcus groups are common on the surface of the skin, where they are not harmful. If they enter the skin, usually through a cut or scratch, they can cause an infection.

Obesity : Cellulitis is more common among people with excess weight or obesity. Leg issues : Swelling edema and ulceration can increase the risk of developing the infection. Exposure to environmental factors : These include polluted water and some animals, including fish and reptiles. Lymphedema : This can lead to swollen skin, which can crack and allow bacteria to enter.

Other conditions : People with liver or kidney disease have a higher risk of developing cellulitis. Diabetes : If a person is not able to manage their diabetes effectively, problems with their immune system, circulation, or both can lead to skin ulcers. Circulatory problems : People with poor blood circulation have a higher risk of infection spreading to deeper layers of the skin.

These bacteria enter broken or normal skin, and can spread easily to the tissue under the skin. You will need antibiotics to treat the infection.

Cellulitis can affect almost any part of the body. Most commonly, it occurs on the lower legs and in areas where the skin is damaged or inflamed. Anyone, at any age, can develop cellulitis. However, you are at increased risk if you smoke, have diabetes or poor circulation.

Prior to the development of antibiotics, cellulitis was fatal. With the introduction of penicillin, most people recover fully within a week. Symptoms of cellulitis The range of symptoms can range from mild to severe, and can include: redness of the skin warmth swelling tenderness or pain in an area of skin weeping orleaking of yellow clear fluid or pus.

Complications of cellulitis The infection can spread to the rest of the body. The lymph nodes may swell and be noticed as a tender lump in the groin and armpit. You may also have fevers, sweats and vomiting. Causes of cellulitis Cellulitis usually occurs in skin areas that have been damaged or inflamed for other reasons, including: trauma, such as an insect bite, burn, abrasion or cut a surgical wound skin problems, such as eczema, psoriasis, scabies or acne a foreign object in the skin, such as metal or glass.

Often, it is not possible to find a cause for cellulitis. Diagnosis of cellulitis Tests may include: a swab — taken from the affected skin and sent to the laboratory for testing.

It can take a few days to get a result and your doctor will be advised of the results other tests — such as blood tests and x-rays. Treatment for cellulitis Antibiotics are used to treat the infection. Oral antibiotics may be adequate, but in the severely ill person, intravenous antibiotics will be needed to control and prevent further spread of the infection.

This treatment is given in hospital or, sometimes, at home by a local doctor or nurse. As the infection improves, you may be able to change from intravenous to oral antibiotics, which can be taken at home for a further week to 10 days.

Most people respond to antibiotics in two to three days and begin to show improvement.