Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection. It is treated with antibiotics and can become serious if it is not treated.
Symptoms of cellulitis
The affected skin appears:
- swollen
- red
- painful
- warm to touch
If cellulitis is not treated, the infection can spread to the lymph nodes. It can quickly become life-threatening.
Sometimes you may feel generally unwell before any skin changes develop.
You may have:
- a high temperature (fever)
- shivers
- a reduced appetite
You can get cellulitis on any part of your body, but it usually affects your hands, feet or legs.
Hands
Cellulitis in your hand causes swelling in your fingers or on the back of your hand.
Lower leg, ankle and foot
Cellulitis often appears in the lower part of the leg, ankle and foot.
When to see your GP
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment if:
- your face or the area around your eye is affected
- your symptoms are quickly getting worse
- you have a weakened immune system - for example, because of chemotherapy or diabetes
- a young child or elderly person may have cellulitis
Early treatment with antibiotics can stop the infection from becoming more serious.
Causes of cellulitis
Cellulitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection. Bacteria enters the body through a break in the skin, such as a cut or insect bite. Sometimes the break in the skin is too small to notice.
You cannot catch cellulitis from another person because it affects the deeper layers of the skin.
You're more at risk of cellulitis if you:
- have poor circulation in your arms, legs, hands or feet
- find it difficult to move around
- have a weakened immune system because of chemotherapy or diabetes
- have bedsores or pressure ulcers
- have a build-up of fluid under the skin - this is called lymphoedema
- inject drugs
- have a wound from surgery
- had cellulitis before
If you are more at risk of cellulitis, treat a break in the skin as soon as possible. This includes any episodes of athlete's foot.
Treatment for cellulitis
If you have mild cellulitis affecting a small area of skin, your GP will prescribe antibiotics. You usually take these for 1 week.
Your symptoms might get worse in the first 48 hours of treatment but should then start to improve.
Finish the course of antibiotics to get rid of the infection completely. Do this even if you feel better before the course of antibiotics runs out.
Most people make a full recovery after 7 to 10 days.
If you have severe cellulitis, your GP might refer you to a hospital for treatment. You will be given fluids and antibiotics into a vein (intravenously).
Some people get repeated episodes of cellulitis. You may be referred to a specialist clinic and given treatment to help cellulitis from coming back.
Self-management of cellulitis
As well as taking antibiotics, there are some things you can do to help speed up your recovery.
Do
-
take paracetamol or ibuprofen for the pain
-
raise the affected body part on a pillow or chair to reduce swelling
-
move the joint near the affected area to stop it getting stiff - for example, your wrist or ankle
-
drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration
-
avoid wearing compression stockings until you're better
Prevent cellulitis coming back
Reduce your chances of getting cellulitis again.
Do
-
keep your skin clean and well moisturised
-
clean any cuts or wounds, or use antiseptic cream
-
wear suitable clothes and shoes to help prevent cuts and scrapes
-
wear gloves if working outside
Cellulitis complications
If not treated quickly, cellulitis can spread to other parts of your body, such as your blood, muscles and bones.
Emergency action required: Call 112 or 999, or go to an emergency department if
you or someone else has cellulitis and:
- a very high temperature of 40 degrees Celsius or higher
- feels hot and shivery
- a fast heartbeat or fast breathing
- has purple patches on the skin
- feels dizzy or faint
- is confused or disorientated
- is cold, clammy and looks pale
- is unresponsive or loses consciousness
These are symptoms of sepsis.
This can be very serious and life-threatening.
Content supplied by the NHS and adapted for Ireland by the HSE
