Cellulitis
Cellulitis
Overview
Cellulitis is an infection of the deeper layers of skin and underlying tissue. It can be serious if it’s not treated quickly.
Early treatment with antibiotics can stop cellulitis becoming more serious.
Common Symptoms
Emergency Warning Signs
Phone 999 or go to A&E if:
You or someone else has cellulitis with:
- a high temperature of 38 degrees or above, or you feel hot and shivery
- a fast heartbeat or fast breathing
- purple patches on your skin, but this may be less obvious on brown or black skin
- feeling dizzy or faint
- confusion or disorientation
- cold, clammy or pale skin
- unresponsiveness or loss of consciousness
- symptoms that are getting rapidly worse
- your face or the area around your eye is affected
- a weak immune system – for example, because of HIV or chemotherapy
These are symptoms of serious complications, which can be life threatening.
Contact your GP practice urgently if:
- your skin is painful, hot and swollen
Phone 111 if your GP practice is closed.
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
When to See a Doctor
Phone 999 or go to A&E if:
You or someone else has cellulitis with:
- a high temperature of 38 degrees or above, or you feel hot and shivery
- a fast heartbeat or fast breathing
- purple patches on your skin, but this may be less obvious on brown or black skin
- feeling dizzy or faint
- confusion or disorientation
- cold, clammy or pale skin
- unresponsiveness or loss of consciousness
- symptoms that are getting rapidly worse
- your face or the area around your eye is affected
- a weak immune system – for example, because of HIV or chemotherapy
These are symptoms of serious complications, which can be life threatening.
Contact your GP practice urgently if:
- your skin is painful, hot and swollen
Phone 111 if your GP practice is closed.
Causes
What causes cellulitis?
Cellulitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection. If your skin is broken, bacteria can get into the deeper layers underneath, for example through an insect bite, a cut, or dry, cracked skin.
The break in the skin can be so small that you don't even notice it.
You cannot catch cellulitis from another person, since it affects the deeper layers of the skin.
Who is most at risk of cellulitis?
Anyone can get cellulitis, but you may be more at risk if you:
- have poor circulation in your arms, legs, hands or feet
- are overweight
- find it difficult to move around
- have a weakened immune system, for example because of HIV or chemotherapy treatment
- have lymphoedema, a condition that causes fluid to build up under your skin
- inject drugs
- have poorly controlled diabetes
- have a wound from surgery
- have had cellulitis before
Treatment
Treatment for cellulitis
You’ll usually be prescribed antibiotics for mild cellulitis on a small area of skin. You’ll usually need to take these for a week.
Your symptoms may get worse in the first 48 hours after treatment starts. This should start to improve soon afterwards.
Contact your GP practice if you don’t start to feel better 2 to 3 days after starting antibiotics.
It’s important to keep taking antibiotics until they’re finished, even when you feel better.
Most people make a full recovery after 7 to 10 days.
If cellulitis is severe, you might be referred to hospital for treatment.
Things you can do to help with cellulitis
As well as taking antibiotics, there are some things that can help your recovery.
Do
- take paracetamol or ibuprofen for the pain
- raise the affected area on a chair or pillow when you’re sitting or lying down
- try to move the joint near the affected area, like your wrist or ankle, to stop it getting stiff
- drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
- avoid wearing compression stockings until you’ve recovered
Prevention
If you have had cellulitis before, you are more likely to get it again.
You can lower your chances of getting it again by:
- keeping your skin clean and well moisturised
- cleaning any cuts or wounds and applying antiseptic cream
- preventing cuts and scrapes by wearing suitable clothing and footwear
- wearing gloves when working outside
- washing your hands regularly, especially when treating or touching a wound or skin condition
Complications
With antibiotics, cellulitis usually clears up well, and most people recover completely.
But if it isn't treated quickly, the infection can spread deeper into the body, reaching the blood, muscles, or bones.