Adults 18 years and over with symptoms of cellulitis can get advice and treatment directly from a pharmacy in certain instances. This includes cases where cellulitis is linked to an insect bites on the arms or body. If the pharmacist cannot treat you they may recommend you see your GP.
Find your local pharmacy on Scotland's Service directory. See your pharmacist as soon as possible if an area of your skin suddenly turns red, painful and hot. Cellulitis is usually treated with antibiotics. Many infections can be treated with antibiotic tablets at home.
You'll usually be given a five-day course of treatment, and your symptoms should start to improve after a few days. Make sure you complete the whole course of medicine you've been given, even if you're feeling better. Contact your GP if your symptoms get worse after a few days or don't improve within a week. For serious infections, treatment is usually started in hospital. You'll normally be given antibiotics directly into a vein through an injection or a drip.
Many hospitals can then arrange for this treatment to continue at home or in an outpatient clinic. Treatment is usually for five days. If the infection responds to treatment quickly, it may be possible to complete the course with antibiotic tablets instead of having injections or a drip. Read more about how cellulitis is treated. Cellulitis can usually be treated successfully with antibiotics, and most people make a full recovery. But there is a risk it could cause potentially serious problems, particularly if it's not treated quickly, such as:.
Septicaemia and kidney problems can be life threatening and require immediate treatment in hospital. The bacteria that cause it often live harmlessly on the skin, but they can lead to an infection if they get into a break in your skin, such as:. Read about the causes of cellulitis , including information on who's most at risk of the condition. If you get cellulitis often or severely, your GP may refer you to a skin specialist called a dermatologist, or an infection specialist, to discuss the option of taking antibiotics on a long-term basis to protect against further infections.
Symptoms of cellulitis develop suddenly and can get worse quickly. It affects the skin and can also cause additional symptoms. There may also be a break in the skin, although this isn't always obvious, and pus or blood-filled blisters. Commonly affected areas include the lower legs, feet, arms or hands, and sometimes the face, particularly around the eyes. See your GP or visit your nearest minor injuries unit as soon as possible if an area of your skin suddenly turns red, painful and hot.
Cellulitis can also cause additional symptoms that may develop before or alongside the changes to your skin. Occasionally the infection can spread to other parts of the body, such as the deeper layers of tissue, blood, muscle and bone. This can be very serious and potentially life threatening. These are symptoms of serious complications, which can be life threatening.
The bacteria can infect the deeper layers of your skin if it's broken, for example, because of an insect bite or cut, or if it's cracked and dry. You cannot catch cellulitis from another person, as it affects the deeper layers of the skin. People who are more at risk of cellulitis should treat athlete's foot promptly. Our guide to care and support explains your options and where you can get support. Page last reviewed: 04 March Next review due: 04 March Urgent advice: Get advice from now if:.
Other ways to get help A GP may be able to help you. Different types of antibiotics can treat cellulitis. The doctor will decide on the best option, after taking into account the type of bacteria behind the infection and factors specific to each person. A doctor may prescribe a low-dose oral antibiotic for long term use to prevent reoccurrence. In the hospital, most people with this type of infection receive antibiotic treatment intravenously, with a drip that delivers the medication through a vein in the arm.
Cellulitis can occur anywhere on the body, including the hands and feet. Adults tend to develop cellulitis in the lower leg, while children tend to develop it on the face or neck. The following symptoms may occur in the affected area:.
In addition, the lymph glands may swell and become tender. Cellulitis in the leg, for example, may affect the lymph glands in the groin. Bacteria from the Streptococcus and Staphylococcus groups are common on the surface of the skin, where they are not harmful. If they enter the skin, usually through a cut or scratch, they can cause an infection. Obesity : Cellulitis is more common among people with excess weight or obesity.
Leg issues : Swelling edema and ulceration can increase the risk of developing the infection. Exposure to environmental factors : These include polluted water and some animals, including fish and reptiles. Lymphedema : This can lead to swollen skin, which can crack and allow bacteria to enter.
Other conditions : People with liver or kidney disease have a higher risk of developing cellulitis. Diabetes : If a person is not able to manage their diabetes effectively, problems with their immune system, circulation, or both can lead to skin ulcers. Circulatory problems : People with poor blood circulation have a higher risk of infection spreading to deeper layers of the skin. Intravenous drug use : Injecting drugs, especially with used needles, can lead to abscesses and infections under the skin, increasing the risk of cellulitis.
They may also take a swab or biopsy to find out which type of bacteria is present. Laboratory tests can help rule out other possible causes, as other conditions may look like cellulitis. Identifying the cause and type of bacteria enables a doctor to prescribe the most suitable treatment. However, this can be challenging, as the presence of various types of bacteria on the skin can lead to inaccurate results.
Permanent swelling: Without treatment, the person may develop permanent swelling in the affected area. Blood infection and sepsis: This life threatening condition results from bacteria entering the bloodstream, and it requires rapid treatment. Symptoms of sepsis include a fever, a rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing, low blood pressure , dizziness when standing up, reduced urine flow, and skin that is sweaty, pale, and cold. Infection in other regions: In very rare cases, bacteria that have caused cellulitis spread to infect other parts of the body, including the muscles, bones, or heart valves.
If this happens, the person needs immediate treatment. However, a person can do some things to feel more comfortable while waiting for medical attention and during treatment.
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