Cellulitis does not usually cause itchiness during its initial stages. They can evaluate your symptoms and perform tests (if needed) to determine the underlying cause. Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of your skin and the tissues beneath your skin. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. The standard practice when treating uncomplicated cellulitis is to prescribe a 10-day course of oral antibiotics, although research has shown that a five-day course can be just as effective. Other signs include: Cellulitis may be associated with lymphangitis and lymphadenitis, which are due to bacteria within lymph vessels and local lymph glands. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. A systematic review of bacteremias in cellulitis and erysipelas. Without removal of the infected tissue, life-threatening sepsis can occur in which the infection rapidly spreads through the bloodstream and throughout the body. In adults, cellulitis often affects a leg or foot. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. As the. Thanks for any help you can give me. You may need any of the following medicines: The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition. After the first three days of antibiotic treatment, your pain will typically decrease. However, the infection can spread if not treated properly. Because the toxin spreads throughout the body, staphylococcal infection of a small area of skin may result in peeling over the entire body. 7. Its best to make a medical appointment right away if you notice any symptoms that could be a sign of cellulitis. The skin is smooth; it is not bumpy or raised. National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD). Cellulitis symptoms include redness, swelling, and pain in the skin. Refraining from touching or rubbing your affected areas. Cellulitis usually appears around damaged skin, but it also occurs in areas of your skin with poor hygiene. 2017 Nov;75(9):366-378. Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection of the lower dermis and subcutaneous tissue. It is normal for the skin to peel with cellulitis. 2015 May 1;60(9):1448. Research has shown that they can help reduce the risk of recurrence. Care for the wound by covering the skin and changing dressings as a healthcare professional advises. Cellulitis is generally not contagious as it affects the deeper layers of the skin. Skin Peeling Between Toes: Causes and Treatment - Verywell Health The symptoms and how severe they are can also vary depending on the part of your body thats affected. This article will review the different stages of healing and what to do if antibiotics don't work. How do you treat cellulitis besides antibiotics? He or she will check if your cellulitis is getting better. A person with cellulitis may notice that their symptoms reduce or start to get better as they heal. Learn what to do if you have symptoms in your groin area. A dermatologist can determine the cause and suggest an appropriate treatment. It's most often caused by group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Your skin might blister and swell, and you might develop a fever. We avoid using tertiary references.