Part UT Health San Antonio
UT Health San AntonioUT Health San Antonio

UTSA Part of UT Health San Antonio

Contact Us | 210-450-9000

Menu
  • Find a Provider
  • Services
  • Cancer Types
  • Locations
  • Patient Care
  • Cancer Center
  • MyChart
  • X
  • Conditions
  • Conditions In-depth
  • Procedures
  • Wellness Centers
  • Natural & Alternative
  • Drug Info
  • Procedure Animations
  • Wellness Videos
Symptom CheckerQuick Nav
 
Health Library Home>Disease, Condition, & Injury Fact Sheets>Article

Cellulitis

by Amy Scholten, MPH
Definition
Causes
Risk Factors
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention

Definition

Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and tissue just below it. The infection may occur anywhere on the body. However, it is most common on the lower legs. Treatment can help prevent it from spreading to other areas of the body.

Causes

Cellulitis is caused by bacteria. The bacteria may normally live on top of the skin or come from other sources. It enters the skin through a cut or injury on the skin surface. Once inside the skin, the bacteria can grow and cause infection.

Risk Factors

Things that increase the risk of cellulitis are:

  • An injury to the skin such as:
    • A cut, scratch, puncture, or bite
    • A blisterburn, or skin ulcer
    • Skin cracks or splits, such as between the toes
  • Skin conditions, such as:
    • Intertrigo—irritation in folds of the skin
    • Athlete's foot
    • Eczema
    • Impetigo
  • IV drug use
  • Surgery
  • Having certain conditions, such as diabetes or obesity
  • Blood vessel problems, such as venous insufficiency or peripheral artery disease (PAD)
  • Lymphedema

Puncture Wound
Puncture Wound

Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Symptoms

Symptoms may be:

  • Fever and chills
  • Skin that is:
    • Red and feels hot
    • Painful or tender
    • Swollen
    • Dimpled
    • Streaked—redness is spreading
  • Confusion
  • Fast heartbeat or fast breathing

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done. The doctor may diagnose cellulitis based on how the skin looks. The outer edge of the redness may be marked. This will help to see if the infection spreads.

The doctor may also do blood tests. Fluid from the area may also be tested. This is to find out what bacteria is causing the problem.

Treatment

The goal is to get rid of the infection and manage pain. Treatment may last 5 to 10 days. Most cellulitis will clear up after 1 to 2 weeks of treatment.

Hospital care may be needed for:

  • Severe cellulitis
  • Diabetes or a weak immune system
  • An infection on the face

Treatment may be:

  • Medicine, such as:
    • Antibiotics—to clear the infection
    • Antifungals, by mouth or applied to the skin—for fungal infections
    • Pain medicine
  • Supportive care, such as:
    • Keeping the area raised—to help move fluids out and speed healing
    • Protecting the skin—keeping the area clean and bandaged

Prevention

The risk of cellulitis may be reduced by:

  • Keeping skin clean and dry
  • Moisturizing dry skin
  • Treating skin conditions
  • Taking precautions to avoid skin injuries
RESOURCES:

American Academy of Dermatology
https://www.aad.org

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
https://www.niaid.nih.gov

CANADIAN RESOURCE;

Canadian Dermatology Association
https://dermatology.ca

Health Canada
http://www.canada.ca

REFERENCES:

Cellulitis. American Academy of Dermatology website. Available at: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/rashes/cellulitis. Accessed January 29, 2021.

Cellulitis. DermNet New Zealand website. Available at: https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/cellulitis. Accessed January 29, 2021.

Cellulitis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116794/Cellulitis. Accessed January 29, 2021.

Cellulitis. Merck Manual Professional Version website. Available at: https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic-disorders/bacterial-skin-infections/cellulitis. Accessed March 29, 2021.

Linder KA, Malani PN. Cellulitis. JAMA. 2017;317(20):2142.

Stevens DL, Bisno AL, et al. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft tissue infections: 2014 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2014;59(2):147-159.

Last reviewed December 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Shawna Grubb, RN  Last Updated: 3/29/2021

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.

Copyright ©  EBSCO Information Services
All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy
Physicians and care providers of
UT Health San Antonio

8300 Floyd Curl Dr.

San Antonio, TX 78229

210-450-9000

Connect with us
  • Patient Rights and Responsibilities
  • Language Assistance
We make lives better ©

We're a part of UT Health San Antonio, provider of comprehensive health,  dental, &  cancer care,  advanced academics  and  life-saving research.

Web Privacy | Links from websites affiliated with The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio's website (uthscsa.edu) to other websites do not constitute or imply university endorsement of those sites, their content, or products and services associated with those sites. The content on this website is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Health information on this site is not meant to be used to diagnose or treat conditions. Consult a health care provider if you are in need of treatment.