Symptoms
- Red, warm, swollen area of skin — often with poorly defined edges
- Pain or tenderness in the affected area
- Skin may feel tight or shiny
- Fever, chills, feeling generally unwell
- Red streaking (lymphangitis) — infection tracking along lymphatic channels
Entry Points for Infection
- Cuts, scrapes, or insect bites
- Athlete's foot (cracks between toes are a common entry point)
- Surgical wounds
- Chronic skin conditions (eczema) causing skin breaks
- IV drug use sites
Treatment
| Severity | Treatment |
|---|---|
| Mild-moderate | Oral antibiotics (flucloxacillin typically first-line) for 5-7 days |
| Severe or spreading rapidly | IV antibiotics, often requiring hospital admission |
| Recurrent cellulitis | Investigation for underlying cause (chronic venous insufficiency, lymphoedema); sometimes long-term low-dose antibiotic prevention |
Signs of Serious/Spreading InfectionRapidly spreading redness, severe pain out of proportion to appearance, purple/black discolouration, blistering, or fever with feeling very unwell can indicate a more serious infection (necrotising fasciitis) or sepsis — this requires emergency assessment.
Mark the EdgesIf starting antibiotic treatment for cellulitis, draw a line around the edge of the redness with a pen and note the date/time — this helps you and your doctor track whether the infection is spreading despite treatment, which would need urgent reassessment.
Is cellulitis contagious?
Generally no — cellulitis itself (infection within the skin and underlying tissue) isn't typically spread person-to-person through casual contact, unlike some surface skin infections.
Why does cellulitis keep coming back for some people?
Recurrent cellulitis is often linked to an underlying predisposing factor — chronic leg swelling (lymphoedema, venous insufficiency), obesity, or skin conditions that create repeated entry points for bacteria. Addressing these underlying factors reduces recurrence.
Medical Disclaimer: This page is for general education only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.