Cellulitis

Cellulitis is an infection of the deeper layers of the skin and the tissue underneath. If it isn't treated quickly, it can become serious.

Starting antibiotics early can stop cellulitis from getting worse.

Cellulitis makes an area of skin suddenly become:

• red
• hot
• swollen
• painful
• tender

It most often affects the lower legs, but you can get cellulitis anywhere on the body.

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.

• your skin is painful, hot and swollen

Phone a doctor or the 16263 health line if your doctor's chamber is closed.

For mild cellulitis on a small area of skin, the doctor will usually prescribe antibiotics. You'll normally need to take them for a week.

Your symptoms may get worse in the first 48 hours after treatment starts, but they should begin to improve soon afterwards. If you don't start to feel better 2 to 3 days after starting the antibiotics, contact your doctor.

Keep taking the antibiotics until they're finished, even when you feel better. Most people with cellulitis make a full recovery after 7 to 10 days.

If the cellulitis is severe, you might be referred to hospital for treatment.

Taking antibiotics is only part of treating cellulitis, and a few other things can help you recover.

• 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, so it doesn't get stiff
• drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
• avoid wearing compression stockings until you've recovered

Cellulitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection. The bacteria can get into the deeper layers of your skin when the skin is broken, for example by an insect bite or a cut, or when it's cracked and dry.

The break in the skin may be so small that you don't even notice it.

You can't catch cellulitis from another person, because it affects the deeper layers of the skin.

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

If you've had cellulitis before, you're more likely to get it again. You can lower the chances of it coming back by:

• keeping your skin clean and well moisturised
• cleaning any cuts or wounds and using antiseptic cream
• preventing cuts and scrapes by wearing suitable clothing and footwear
• wearing gloves if you work outside
• washing your hands regularly, particularly when you treat or touch a wound or skin condition

Cellulitis can usually be treated successfully with antibiotics, and most people make a full recovery. But if it isn't treated quickly, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, like the blood, muscles and bones.