Cellulitis 

 

Cellulitis is an infection of the deeper layers of skin and the underlying tissue. It can be serious if not treated promptly.

The infection develops suddenly and can spread through the body quickly. Severe infections can spread deep into the body, and can be life threatening.

Most cases are successfully treated with antibiotics at home, although sometimes it needs to be treated in hospital.

This page covers:

Symptoms

When to get medical advice

Treatments

Outlook

Causes

Prevention

Symptoms of cellulitis

Cellulitis causes an area of skin to suddenly become:

• red
• hot
• swollen
• painful
• tender

It most often affects the lower legs, but can occur anywhere.

In more severe cases, cellulitis can also be accompanied – and often preceded – by:

• a high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
• vigorous shaking (rigors)
• nausea and vomiting
• dizziness
• confusion

These are signs that the infection has spread deeper into the body. Read more about the symptoms of cellulitis.

When to get medical advice

See your GP or visit your nearest minor injuries unit as soon as possible if an area of your skin suddenly turns red, painful and hot.

Early treatment can help reduce the risk of the infection becoming severe.

Call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department immediately if:

• your face or the area around your eye is affected
• your symptoms are getting rapidly worse
• you experience other symptoms in addition to the changes in your skin, such as a fever or vomiting
• you have a weak immune system – for example, because of HIV or chemotherapy – or severe lymphoedema, a condition that causes swelling in the body's tissues
• a young child or elderly person has possible cellulitis

Treatments for cellulitis

Cellulitis is usually treated with antibiotics. Many infections can be treated with antibiotic tablets at home.

You'll usually be given a seven-day course of tablets, and your symptoms should start to improve after a few days.

Make sure you complete the whole course of medicine you've been given, even if you're feeling better. Contact your GP if your symptoms get worse after a few days or don't improve within a week.

For serious infections, treatment is usually started in hospital. You'll normally be given antibiotics directly into a vein through an injection or a drip.

Many hospitals can then arrange for this treatment to continue at home or in an outpatient clinic. Treatment is usually for seven days.

If the infection responds to treatment quickly, it may be possible to complete the course with antibiotic tablets instead of having injections or a drip.

Read more about how cellulitis is treated.

Outlook for cellulitis

Cellulitis can usually be treated successfully with antibiotics, and most people make a full recovery.

But there is a risk it could cause potentially serious problems, particularly if it's not treated quickly, such as:

• blood poisoning (septicaemia) – where the bacteria enter the blood
• kidney damage
• leg ulcers

Septicaemia and kidney problems can be life threatening and require immediate treatment in hospital.

Causes of cellulitis

Cellulitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection.

The bacteria that cause it often live harmlessly on the skin, but they can lead to an infection if they get into a break in your skin, such as:

• a bruise, cut or graze
• an animal bite or insect bite
• a leg ulcer
• dry, cracked skin – for example, because of eczema or athlete's foot

In most cases the trigger for the infection is unknown.

The infection isn't normally spread from person to person.

Read about the causes of cellulitis, including information on who's most at risk of the condition.

Preventing cellulitis

If you've had cellulitis before, you're more likely to get it again.

It's not always possible to prevent it, but the following measures may help reduce your risk:

• use moisturiser if your skin is dry or prone to cracking
• lose weight if you're overweight – being obese can increase your risk of cellulitis
• try to ensure any conditions that can increase your risk of cellulitis – such as eczema, athlete's foot, leg ulcers and lymphoedema – are well managed
• make sure any cuts, grazes or bites are kept clean – wash them under running tap water and cover them with a plaster or dressing
• wash your hands regularly – particularly when treating or touching a wound or skin condition

If you get cellulitis often or severely, your GP may refer you to a skin specialist called a dermatologist, or an infection specialist, to discuss the option of taking antibiotics on a long-term basis to protect against further infections.