Cellulitis symptoms Redness in the skin on different parts of the body, usually the lower leg. Using empiric therapy, antibiotics are selected by the healthcare provider to cover the most likely types of bacteria, depending on what specific risks the patient has. 2004-2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK, a Red Ventures Company. The involved area may rapidly become deeper red, swollen, warm, and tender and increase in size as the infection spreads. Sullivan T, de Barra E. Diagnosis and management of cellulitis. Cellulitis is a skin infection that comes on quickly and can turn serious. These are all signs of an infection. The bacteria can cause cellulitis, a skin infection that causes red, swollen skin and fever. DR P. MARAZZI / SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images. Left untreated, cellulitis can be life-threatening. The infection happens when there is a break in the skin that allows the bacteria to enter. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2008:1720-1731. World J Clin Oncol. Am Fam Physician. Cellulitis is a relatively common bacterial infection of the skin and the tissues beneath it. Doctors treat cellulitis with antibiotics, which they administer orally or intravenously, depending on the severity of the infection. Severe cases of cellulitis may spread to underlying tissue, including muscle and bone, and may require surgical treatment to remove the infected tissue. I like the way the article was broken down into parts. The majority of the time, symptoms will vanish after a few days of antibiotic treatment. Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. Cellulitis is an infection that occurs when bacteria enter the skin and causes a dimpled appearance due to the presence of fatty deposits. Kristen Gasnick, PT, DPT, is a medical writer and a physical therapist at Holy Name Medical Center in New Jersey. J Am Acad Dermatol. A serious bacterial infection of the skin, left untreated cellulitis can spread and cause serious health problems. Ultrasound Examination Of Toe And Foot- Ultrasound images show fluid collection and soft tissue edema. However, CA-MRSA is now a common cause of skin infections in the general population. Surgical debridement in which portions of your infected skin and muscle are removed is attempted first for severe infections. While the redness often turns white when pressure is applied, this is not always . Cellulitis usually appears on the lower legs. Causes. In addition, it discusses recovery timelines, tips for recovery, and when someone should speak with a doctor. Cellulitis can be very serious and must be treated so it does not become dangerous. The skin is usually very warm to the touch. Exposure to warm salt water, such as from a walk on the beach, especially in those with liver or alcohol problems, can lead to Vibrio vulnificus. A persons skin may also develop blisters or appear pitted, similar to an orange peel. You have diabetes or are immunosuppressed. of Health and Human Services, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/87\/Diagnose-Scabies-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Diagnose-Scabies-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/87\/Diagnose-Scabies-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid5760888-v4-728px-Diagnose-Scabies-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"