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Edited by Maluniu, Tiagoroth, Dolinsky296

Your skin has bacteria living on it regardless of how much you wash it. An infection such as cellulitis can develop when your skin breaks due to a cut, scrape or injury. Cellulitis occurs when bacteria, like streptococcus and staphylococcus, enters the opened area of your skin. Complications can happen hen cellulitis is not properly treated. The complications include sepsis bone infection, meningitis or lymphangitis. Thus, knowing how to treat cellulitis can be the difference between healing your skin and developing complications.



  1. 1
    Know the symptoms and signs of cellulitis.
    • The symptoms of cellulitis include pain, warmth at the infected site or a fever. You may also feel tenderness or sore skin.
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    • Signs of the infection include redness, inflammation, chills, fatigue and a rash that develops quickly. Also the infected area can look tight or stretched.
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    Understand cellulitis causes.
    • Medical conditions such as a history of peripheral vascular disease or diabetes can cause cellulitis. Diabetes-related cellulitis can happen when ulcers occur or the blood supply is blocked.
    • Certain medications, such as corticosteroid or medications that suppress the immune system, can cause cellulitis.
    • Bites from an animal or human or any insect bites and stings are another cause.
    • Cellulitis can develop if you have wounds from a recent surgery or any cracks between your toes.
  3. 3
    Confirm the diagnoses of cellulitis.
    • Go to your doctor.
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    • Explain your symptoms and any signs of cellulitis that you've noticed.
    • Undergo any physical examination. Your physician may perform additional tests such as a complete blood count (CBC) or blood culture.
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    Receive treatment for cellulitis. Treatment depends on the severity of the infection and your health.
    • Your physician will prescribe oral antibiotics if you are healthy and your infection is limited to the skin. Typically, the antibiotics include penicillin or cephalosporin--if you're allergic to penicillin. Cellulitis should disappear in 7 to 10 days.
    • You may have to stay in the hospital and receive antibiotics intravenously or by injection to clear up the infection. A hospital stay may be required if the infection is severe or if you suffer from a medical condition such as HIV.
    • Topical antibiotic cream is also a treatment. The cream must be rubbed on the skin to clear up the cellulitis for approximately 10 days. The topical cream is usually used in mild cases of the infection.
    • If the cellulitis is on your arm or leg, treatment may include elevating your limb to stop the swelling.
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  • You can prevent a recurrence of cellulitis by protecting your skin. You should always clean any cuts or scrapes with water and soap. You should always cover the injured skin with a bandage.

Article Info

Categories: Skin Inflammation and Rashes

Recent edits by: Tiagoroth, Maluniu

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Español: Cómo tratar la celulitis (inflamación)


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