&lt;h1 data-start=&quot;271&quot; data-end=&quot;321&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is Cellulitis? (A Skin &amp;ldquo;Oops!&amp;rdquo;)&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;323&quot; data-end=&quot;585&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Let&amp;rsquo;s talk about a word you might hear but hope you never have to use for yourself: &lt;strong data-start=&quot;407&quot; data-end=&quot;421&quot;&gt;cellulitis&lt;/strong&gt;. Despite the name sounding a bit like &amp;ldquo;cellulite&amp;rdquo; (which is totally harmless), cellulitis is &lt;strong data-start=&quot;515&quot; data-end=&quot;544&quot;&gt;not the same thing at all&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; and it&amp;rsquo;s something you take seriously.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;587&quot; data-end=&quot;982&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Cellulitis is a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;603&quot; data-end=&quot;631&quot;&gt;bacterial skin infection&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;632&quot; data-end=&quot;635&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;It happens when tiny bacteria &amp;mdash; most often &lt;em data-start=&quot;678&quot; data-end=&quot;685&quot;&gt;Strep&lt;/em&gt; or &lt;em data-start=&quot;689&quot; data-end=&quot;696&quot;&gt;Staph&lt;/em&gt; &amp;mdash; sneak through a crack or break in your skin and start multiplying. Once they&amp;rsquo;re in, they can make your skin and the tissue just underneath become &lt;strong data-start=&quot;845&quot; data-end=&quot;880&quot;&gt;inflamed, red, warm, and tender&lt;/strong&gt;. Think of it as a local skin &amp;ldquo;fire drill&amp;rdquo; &amp;mdash; your immune system kicks in hard to fight those invaders.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;984&quot; data-end=&quot;1060&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;This infection can pop up anywhere on the body, but it&amp;rsquo;s most common on the:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1064&quot; data-end=&quot;1076&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Lower legs&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1079&quot; data-end=&quot;1085&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Arms&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1088&quot; data-end=&quot;1095&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Hands&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1098&quot; data-end=&quot;1102&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Face&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1104&quot; data-end=&quot;1265&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Cellulitis isn&amp;rsquo;t contagious, but it &lt;em data-start=&quot;1140&quot; data-end=&quot;1152&quot;&gt;can spread&lt;/em&gt; quickly &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1161&quot; data-end=&quot;1181&quot;&gt;inside your body&lt;/strong&gt; if left untreated &amp;mdash; which is why understanding it sooner rather than later matters.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1104&quot; data-end=&quot;1265&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;1272&quot; data-end=&quot;1293&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;Why It Happens&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;1295&quot; data-end=&quot;1369&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Your skin is usually a great shield. But sometimes it gets a tiny opening:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1373&quot; data-end=&quot;1383&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;A scrape&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1386&quot; data-end=&quot;1393&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;A cut&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1396&quot; data-end=&quot;1408&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;A bug bite&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1411&quot; data-end=&quot;1430&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Dry, cracked skin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1433&quot; data-end=&quot;1451&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;A surgical wound&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1454&quot; data-end=&quot;1489&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Athlete&amp;rsquo;s foot crack between toes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1492&quot; data-end=&quot;1502&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;A splinter&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1504&quot; data-end=&quot;1674&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Bacteria use these breaks like tiny doors to get under your skin. Once inside, they set up camp and cause redness, swelling, and pain &amp;mdash; all classic signs of inflammation.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1676&quot; data-end=&quot;1870&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;People with certain risk factors &amp;mdash; like &lt;strong data-start=&quot;1716&quot; data-end=&quot;1768&quot;&gt;diabetes, weakened immunity, or poor circulation&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; are more likely to get cellulitis because their skin barriers and immune defenses aren&amp;rsquo;t as strong.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1676&quot; data-end=&quot;1870&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;1877&quot; data-end=&quot;1931&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Symptoms, What to Watch For &amp;amp; What to Do&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1933&quot; data-end=&quot;2047&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Now that you know what cellulitis &lt;em data-start=&quot;1967&quot; data-end=&quot;1971&quot;&gt;is&lt;/em&gt;, let&amp;rsquo;s talk about what it &lt;em data-start=&quot;1998&quot; data-end=&quot;2010&quot;&gt;looks like&lt;/em&gt; &amp;mdash; and when it&amp;rsquo;s time to take action.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2054&quot; data-end=&quot;2084&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Common Signs &amp;amp; Symptoms&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2086&quot; data-end=&quot;2129&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;When cellulitis shows up, you might notice:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2133&quot; data-end=&quot;2175&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2133&quot; data-end=&quot;2144&quot;&gt;Redness&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; the area looks pink or red&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2178&quot; data-end=&quot;2231&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2178&quot; data-end=&quot;2188&quot;&gt;Warmth&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; the spot feels warmer than nearby skin&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2234&quot; data-end=&quot;2281&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2234&quot; data-end=&quot;2246&quot;&gt;Swelling&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; puffiness around the infection&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2284&quot; data-end=&quot;2337&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2284&quot; data-end=&quot;2306&quot;&gt;Pain or tenderness&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; the area may hurt to touch&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2340&quot; data-end=&quot;2380&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2340&quot; data-end=&quot;2378&quot;&gt;Skin that looks stretched or shiny&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2383&quot; data-end=&quot;2434&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;2383&quot; data-end=&quot;2402&quot;&gt;Fever or chills&lt;/strong&gt; (if the infection is spreading)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2436&quot; data-end=&quot;2558&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The red patch usually doesn&amp;rsquo;t have a clear border &amp;mdash; it blends into normal skin &amp;mdash; and it can &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2528&quot; data-end=&quot;2538&quot;&gt;expand&lt;/strong&gt; over hours or days.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;2565&quot; data-end=&quot;2597&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;When to Seek Medical Help&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2599&quot; data-end=&quot;2749&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Cellulitis can sometimes look like other conditions, but it needs medical care &amp;mdash; often &lt;strong data-start=&quot;2686&quot; data-end=&quot;2701&quot;&gt;antibiotics&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; to get better. See a clinician right away if:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2753&quot; data-end=&quot;2779&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The redness is spreading&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2782&quot; data-end=&quot;2825&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;You have a fever (feeling hot and unwell)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2828&quot; data-end=&quot;2865&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The area is very painful or swollen&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2868&quot; data-end=&quot;2914&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;You have red streaks extending from the area&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2917&quot; data-end=&quot;2960&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;You notice swelling in nearby lymph nodes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2963&quot; data-end=&quot;3031&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;You have a weakened immune system (e.g., diabetes, HIV, on steroids)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3033&quot; data-end=&quot;3134&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Prompt treatment helps prevent the infection from moving deeper into tissues or into the bloodstream.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;3141&quot; data-end=&quot;3179&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Causes the Redness &amp;amp; Pain?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3181&quot; data-end=&quot;3344&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Once bacteria slip under your skin, your body&amp;rsquo;s immune system sends extra blood and white blood cells to fight the infection. This rush of activity is what causes:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3348&quot; data-end=&quot;3387&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3348&quot; data-end=&quot;3359&quot;&gt;Redness&lt;/strong&gt; (more blood in that area)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3390&quot; data-end=&quot;3422&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3390&quot; data-end=&quot;3400&quot;&gt;Warmth&lt;/strong&gt; (extra circulation)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;3425&quot; data-end=&quot;3482&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3425&quot; data-end=&quot;3446&quot;&gt;Swelling and pain&lt;/strong&gt; (immune activity and fluid buildup)&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3484&quot; data-end=&quot;3591&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Think of it as your body&amp;rsquo;s &amp;ldquo;defense team&amp;rdquo; showing up in full force &amp;mdash; but the battle can feel uncomfortable.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;3598&quot; data-end=&quot;3631&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;How Is Cellulitis Treated?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3633&quot; data-end=&quot;3796&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Most of the time, cellulitis is treated with &lt;strong data-start=&quot;3678&quot; data-end=&quot;3706&quot;&gt;prescription antibiotics&lt;/strong&gt; &amp;mdash; pills or sometimes IV medicine if it&amp;rsquo;s more serious. Your clinician may also recommend:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3798&quot; data-end=&quot;3941&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Rest and elevation of the affected area&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3839&quot; data-end=&quot;3842&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Pain relief as needed&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3865&quot; data-end=&quot;3868&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Keeping the area clean&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3892&quot; data-end=&quot;3895&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Follow-up checks to make sure it&amp;rsquo;s improving&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3943&quot; data-end=&quot;4099&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Most people start to feel better within a couple of days of starting antibiotics, but it&amp;rsquo;s important to finish all the medication your clinician prescribes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3943&quot; data-end=&quot;4099&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;4106&quot; data-end=&quot;4147&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Friendly Tips to Prevent Cellulitis&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;h4 data-start=&quot;4149&quot; data-end=&quot;4214&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Healthy habits can help keep the bacteria out in the first place:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h4&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4216&quot; data-end=&quot;4440&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Wash and moisturize your skin regularly&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;4257&quot; data-end=&quot;4260&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Promptly clean and cover cuts/scrapes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;4299&quot; data-end=&quot;4302&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Trim nails straight across&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;4330&quot; data-end=&quot;4333&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Manage chronic conditions like diabetes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;4374&quot; data-end=&quot;4377&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;✔ Wear protective gear when gardening or handling sharp objects&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4442&quot; data-end=&quot;4506&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Good skin care = fewer little doorways for bacteria to sneak in.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4442&quot; data-end=&quot;4506&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-start=&quot;4513&quot; data-end=&quot;4530&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Bottom Line&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4532&quot; data-end=&quot;4839&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Cellulitis is a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4548&quot; data-end=&quot;4583&quot;&gt;common bacterial skin infection&lt;/strong&gt; that starts when bacteria enter through a break in the skin. It causes redness, swelling, warmth, and tenderness &amp;mdash; and it needs medical care to heal well. The sooner you recognize it and get treated, the faster you&amp;rsquo;ll be back to comfortable, healthy skin.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4532&quot; data-end=&quot;4839&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

Costochondritis: Chest Pain Causes, Symptoms & Relief Guide

Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD): Symptoms, Causes, and Care Guide

Coronavirus (COVID‑19): Symptoms, Causes & Prevention Guide

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Symptoms, Causes & Heart Health Guide

Cellulitis Symptoms, Causes & Treatment for Skin Infections

Adrenal Cancer: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment

Cellulite Causes, Treatments & Skin Smoothing Options Guide

Celiac Disease Symptoms, Causes & Gluten-Free Diet Guide

Cavities (Tooth Decay) Symptoms, Causes & Prevention Guide

Cavernous Malformations Explained: Symptoms, Causes & When to Seek Care

Cataracts Explained: Symptoms, Causes & Cataract Surgery Options

Cellulitis Symptoms, Causes & Treatment for Skin Infections

WHAT ELSE DO YOU NEED TO KNOW