HealthInfo Canterbury
Cellulitis
Pokenga kiri
Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and the tissue just under the skin. It's often caused by a small break in the skin where bacteria (germs) can get in.
Cellulitis can affect any area of skin, but the leg is the most common place.
Cellulitis is most common in children and older people but can affect people of all ages. Diabetes and other health conditions or treatments that reduce your immunity can make you more likely to get cellulitis.
It usually starts with a small patch of redness and swelling, which can be painful and warm to touch. This can spread to cover a bigger area.
If the infection spreads, you may get other symptoms such as nausea, fever or generally feeling unwell.
Important
Cellulitis can lead to a life-threatening infection of the blood. If you have a patch of skin that is red, warm and getting bigger, see your general practice team or after-hours healthcare service as soon as possible, especially if you have diabetes or any condition that reduces your immunity.
Treating cellulitis
Cellulitis is treated with antibiotics. Usually, your GP will ask you to take antibiotic tablets. If the infection is more serious, you may need antibiotics given through a vein (IV antibiotics). Your GP may arrange for you to have IV antibiotics without needing to go to hospital.
If you have diabetes, keeping your blood glucose (sugar) down is important.
Contact your GP again if your cellulitis is getting worse, you are feeling more unwell or there is no improvement after two days on antibiotics.
Self-care with cellulitis
- Get plenty of rest. This helps your body fight the infection. If you have cellulitis on your leg, walk as little as possible for the first few days.
- Raise the affected body part on a pillow or chair when you're sitting or lying down. This helps reduce swelling. Continue to do this for at least the first 48 hours.
- If your arm or hand is affected, use a sling when walking around. This not only helps relieve pain but also helps the healing process.
- Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Preventing cellulitis
You can reduce the chances of getting cellulitis again by:
- keeping your skin clean and well moisturised – dry skin causes cracks that increase your risk of cellulitis
- cleaning any cuts or wounds
- preventing cuts and scrapes by wearing protective clothing and footwear
- keeping your fingernails short and avoiding scratching
- treating any breaks in your skin due to athlete’s foot or eczema for example
- wearing gloves if working outside.
If you've had cellulitis more than once, you might be prescribed low-dose long-term antibiotics to stop infections coming back.
HealthInfo recommends the following videos
- Videojug – How to treat cellulitis
A GP from the UK health system talks about cellulitis.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- DermNet NZ – Cellulitis
Detailed information with a variety of photographs.
- KidsHealth – Cellulitis
Information about cellulitis in children.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed June 2022.
Sources
See also:
Review key: HICEL-21918
