Cellulitis can it come back

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. Cellulitis is usually caused by a bacterial infection. It occurs when bacteria get into the tissues beneath the skin.

The bacteria that cause cellulitis often live harmlessly on the skin. But if the surface of your skin is damaged, they can get into the layers underneath and cause an infection. Cellulitis isn't normally spread from person to person as the infection occurs deep within the skin and is often caused by bacteria that live on the skin's surface without causing problems. Ensuring the underlying health conditions mentioned above are well controlled may help reduce your risk of getting cellulitis.

Cellulitis can often be treated at home with a course of antibiotics, although severe cases may need to be treated in hospital. If you're treated at home, you'll usually be prescribed antibiotic tablets to take two to four times a day for a week. A longer course may be needed if your symptoms don't improve after a week or you have an underlying condition that makes cellulitis more difficult to treat, such as lymphoedema.

Commonly prescribed antibiotics include flucloxacillin and clarithromycin. Possible side effects can include an upset stomach or diarrhoea. Your symptoms may get worse in the first 48 hours after treatment starts, but should start to improve soon afterwards. While you're recovering at home, the following steps can help ease your symptoms and aid your recovery:.

If you need to be admitted to hospital for treatment, you'll be given antibiotics directly into a vein through an injection or a drip intravenous antibiotics. Once you've recovered from the initial symptoms, you can usually be treated with antibiotic injections or tablets at home or as an outpatient, rather than staying in hospital. Home Illnesses and conditions Skin, hair and nails Cellulitis. Cellulitis See all parts of this guide Hide guide parts 1. About cellulitis 2.

Symptoms of cellulitis 3. Causes of cellulitis 4. Treating cellulitis. About cellulitis Cellulitis is an infection of the deeper layers of skin and the underlying tissue. Symptoms of cellulitis Cellulitis causes an area of skin to suddenly become: red hot swollen painful tender It most often affects the lower legs, but can occur anywhere. We're helping you achieve YourHealthiestSkin from head to toe.

Use these tips from dermatologists to keep all your skin looking and feeling its best. AAD Shade Structures provide permanent outdoor shade in areas that are not protected from the sun. When it comes to treating the skin, plenty of people say they have expertise. Only a board-certified dermatologist has these credentials. Even after successful treatment, some people get cellulitis again and again.

For most people, the cellulitis develops in the same place every time. Avoid injuring your skin. Skin injuries include cuts, scrapes, burns, sunburns, frostbite, stings from bees and other insects, and abrasions. Treat wounds right away. If you injure your skin, immediately: Wash the wound with soap and water. Apply an antibiotic ointment. Cover the wound with a bandage. Clean and change the bandage every day or as often as your doctor recommends until the wound heals. Keep your skin clean and moisturized.

Keeping your skin clean washes away bacteria that cause cellulitis. Moisturizing helps prevent cracks in your skin, which can let bacteria into your body. An effective way to prevent or reduce dry skin is to apply moisturizer within three minutes of taking showers or baths. If your hands are dry, applying moisturizer after you wash your hands and frequently throughout the day can relieve the dryness. Show references Cellulitis. Merck Manual Professional Version.

Accessed Jan. Spelman D, et al. Cellulitis and skin abscess: Epidemiology, microbiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis. Lebwohl MG, et al. Cellulitis and erysipelas. Elsevier; Office of Patient Education. Mayo Clinic; Staph infections Symptom Checker Taking care of a blister? Here's how Integrative approaches to treating pain Nutrition and pain Pain rehabilitation Self-care approaches to treating pain Show more related content.

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