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Cellulitis tends to affect only one side of the body. Common symptoms include red skin, swelling, tenderness, pain, warmth, fever, rash that grows quickly, red spots, blisters, a pus-filled abscess in the middle of the affected area, and dimpling of the skin. Serious signs of cellulitis that indicate spreading may include the following symptoms: shaking, chills, fatigue, dizziness, muscle aches, feeling lightheaded, sweating, lethargy, and red streaks.

Cellulitis usually only affects the surface of the skin; however, damage to the tissue underneath is possible if steps towards treatment are not taken. When cellulitis enters your bloodstream, it can become life-threatening. If you are experiencing any of these severe symptoms, you should seek immediate medical treatment.

Possible causes of cellulitis include surgical incisions, burns, puncture wounds, animal bites, skin rashes and itching. You’re more likely to catch cellulitis if you have a skin condition like athlete’s foot or eczema. These conditions make it easier for bacteria to enter the skin through cracks they may cause. A weakened immune system also increases your likelihood of infection as the bacteria stand a better chance of surviving and multiplying.

Cellulitis usually isn’t contagious, but the infection can spread from the skin to the bloodstream and lymph nodes. This is a potentially life-threatening complication, so prompt treatment is crucial.

Some home remedies to relieve your symptoms include cleaning the skin around your infection and elevating your legs to drain the blood away from the point of infection. For more severe cases of cellulitis, your doctor may want to use IV antibiotics or intramuscular antibiotics. You might require this type of antibiotic treatment because you have other medical problems or are in a high-risk category such as infants and the elderly.

Cellulitis is usually treated by a primary care physician. For complicated skin conditions, dermatologists (specialized skin doctors) are needed. Please note that PlushCare does not utilize dermatologists at this time but can refer you to a specialist if needed. 

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection treated with antibiotics. The best antibiotics to treat cellulitis include dicloxacillin, cephalexin, trimethoprim with sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, or doxycycline.

The fastest way to get rid of cellulitis is to keep the area clean and dry, apply cool compresses, treat underlying conditions, and take antibiotics if prescribed by your doctor.