Health
Fact-checked

At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

Is There a Cellulitis Cure?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Cellulitis is a serious bacterial infection that usually affects the skin on a person’s lower legs, but may also affect the face and other parts of the body. If cellulitis isn’t treated promptly, it has the potential to spread to the bloodstream, a situation that could become life threatening very quickly. Fortunately, however, antibiotics can be used to cure cellulitis. In many cases, an antibiotic cellulitis cure requires a patient to take oral antibiotics for a specific amount of time. If this doesn’t work or a case of cellulitis is particularly serious, a patient may need intravenous antibiotics instead.

Since cellulitis can be deadly, it is important to know its symptoms; this way, an individual can note symptoms early in their development and seek a cellulitis cure right away. Among the typical symptoms of cellulitis are redness, pain, and swelling. Often, a person will experience tenderness and warmth in the affected area as well. A patient with this condition may also note red spots on the reddened areas and may even develop blisters that eventually burst. The reddened area of skin may also spread over time; if an individual develops these symptoms, he is typically advised to seek immediate medical attention.

Wound cellulitis may occur if an individual is bitten by a brown recluse spider.
Wound cellulitis may occur if an individual is bitten by a brown recluse spider.

Oral antibiotics are typically used as a cellulitis cure, especially when the infection is diagnosed early. Often prescription antibiotics are prescribed for up to two weeks, and patients are typically required to see their doctors after two to three days of use. This follow-up visit can help doctors determine whether the antibiotic treatment is working. In most cases, a person can expect to experience symptom relief within just a few days, though he’ll usually have to finish the entire course of antibiotics his doctor prescribed, even if the symptoms completely disappear.

Severe cellulitis infections may require hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics.
Severe cellulitis infections may require hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics.

If an individual has taken antibiotics and cellulitis symptoms have not improved, he may need to be hospitalized for a different cellulitis cure. In such a case, doctors will usually keep him in the hospital while they deliver antibiotics intravenously and observe him for signs of improvement. This method of treatment may also be used when a person’s symptoms are severe or accompanied by a high fever.

Cellulitis can affect anyone, but there are some people who are more likely to develop it. An individual who has an injury, such as a cut or burn, may be more likely to develop it because bacteria can easily enter the body through a wound. People who have skin conditions that cause breaks in their skin and intravenous drug users may be more susceptible to it as well. As far as age is concerned, elderly individuals and children are more likely to be diagnosed with cellulitis. Additionally, people with weakened immune systems are more susceptible.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Wisedly33

My landlady is a diabetic and got cellulitis from a mosquito bite last summer. Her legs were killing her, but she didn't want to go to the doctor and she was on her way to septicemia before she finally decided she needed to go.

Her doctor said if she had waited just another day or two, that she would have been dangerously septic and would probably have been put in the ICU. As it was, she spent time in the hospital, not just for antibiotics, but also to get her sugar under control, along with her blood pressure. She was in pretty bad shape.

Scrbblchick

Several years ago, our pastor's wife had a nasty case of cellulitis. She had to go to the ER and was on IV antibiotics for a couple of days before they sent her home. Seems like she was on two or three more oral rounds of medicine for something like six weeks. I know it was a good long while.

The doctors also prescribed a low dose of steroids for her to help reduce the inflammation and pain, and she said they helped, but that the cellulitis was still one of the most painful things she had ever endured. I know she also took painkillers for a while, too.

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Wound cellulitis may occur if an individual is bitten by a brown recluse spider.
      By: Jason Ormand
      Wound cellulitis may occur if an individual is bitten by a brown recluse spider.
    • Severe cellulitis infections may require hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics.
      By: michaeljung
      Severe cellulitis infections may require hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics.