Cellulitis Treatment

Your skin is your body’s first line of defense, but sometimes bacteria can break through and cause infections, like cellulitis, that need professional medical care. Bacterial skin infections can develop quickly and become serious if left untreated, which is why recognizing the signs and getting treatment quickly is so important.

The emergency-trained medical team at Complete Care understands that skin infections can be both painful and concerning. We provide comprehensive care using proven treatment protocols, including targeted antibiotic therapy, wound care management, and thorough monitoring to prevent complications.

When you notice signs of a serious skin infection, Complete Care’s convenient freestanding ER locations are equipped with the advanced diagnostic tools and treatment options you need for immediate relief and recovery.

For life-threatening situations, please call 911.

Table of Contents:

• Symptoms of cellulitis
• How do you treat cellulitis?
• What happens if cellulitis is left untreated?
• When should you go to the ER for cellulitis?

Symptoms of cellulitis

Cellulitis typically develops over the course of a few days, and the signs are usually quite noticeable once they appear. While these symptoms can vary from person to person, there are several key warning signs to watch for.

• Red, swollen skin that feels warm or hot to the touch
• Pain and tenderness in the affected area
• Skin that appears stretched or glossy
• Fever* and chills
• Red streaking from the infected area
• Swollen lymph nodes near the infection
• Fatigue or feeling generally unwell
• Skin dimpling or pitting when pressed

It’s important to remember that cellulitis symptoms can worsen quickly, sometimes within hours. If this is true for you, don’t wait to see if symptoms improve on their own — early cellulite infection treatment is always more effective and can prevent serious complications.

*Learn more about when to go to the ER with a high fever

How do you treat cellulitis?

Effective cellulitis treatment is much more personalized than many people realize. Your Complete Care provider doesn’t just pick any antibiotic — they consider factors like where the infection is located, how it likely started, your medical history, and even recent travel or hospital stays to determine the best cellulitis medication for your specific situation.

Treatment for cellulitis typically includes:

• Antibiotics
• Pain management
• Elevation
• Warm compresses
• IV antibiotics
• Close monitoring

Your healthcare team will often mark the borders of the red, infected area with a pen so they can track whether the infection is shrinking or spreading. This simple technique helps determine if the current treatment is working or if adjustments need to be made.

What happens if cellulitis is left untreated?

The infection spreads by following the natural pathways in your body through your lymphatic system and bloodstream. This means bacteria can travel from what seems like a small, localized skin problem to major organs like your heart, lungs, or kidneys, surprisingly quickly. Unlike other infections that might stay contained, cellulitis has a particular tendency to “track” along tissue planes, which is why you might notice red streaking extending from the original site.

When cellulitis goes untreated, several dangerous complications can develop:

• Blood poisoning (sepsis): The infection can enter your bloodstream and spread throughout your body, causing organ failure and requiring emergency treatment
• Tissue death (necrotizing fasciitis): The infection can destroy skin, fat, and muscle tissue, sometimes requiring surgical removal of affected areas
• Bone infection (osteomyelitis): Bacteria can spread to nearby bones, leading to chronic pain and potential bone damage
• Lymphatic system damage: Repeated infections can cause permanent swelling and circulation problems
• Abscesses: Pockets of pus can form deep under the skin, requiring surgical drainage
• Heart valve infection: In rare cases, bacteria can travel to the heart and cause serious cardiac complications

The risk of these complications increases significantly the longer cellulitis remains untreated. What might have been resolved with a simple course of oral antibiotics can quickly become a medical emergency requiring hospitalization, surgery, or intensive care. This is why recognizing the symptoms of cellulitis, when to worry, and seeking immediate medical attention is so crucial for your health and recovery.

When should you go to the ER for cellulitis?

The challenge with diagnosing cellulitis is that it can look deceptively mild in the early stages, but some symptoms signal that the infection has already begun spreading beyond the skin and requires urgent intervention.

You should seek emergency medical care immediately if you experience:

• Red streaking extending from the infected area toward your heart
• Fever above 101°F (38.3°C) along with skin symptoms
• Rapid spreading of redness, swelling, or warmth
• Severe pain that seems out of proportion to what you can see
• Confusion, dizziness, or feeling unusually weak
• Chills or shaking that you can’t control
• Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
• The infected area feels numb or you notice dark or black discoloration
• Any other staph infection cellulitis symptoms that worsen rapidly despite treatment

Don’t hesitate to seek emergency care if your instincts tell you something isn’t right, even if your symptoms don’t exactly match this list. Complete Care’s medical teams are skilled at diagnosing cellulitis and can provide immediate IV antibiotics if needed.

When cellulitis demands attention, Complete Care delivers results

At Complete Care, we understand that cellulitis requires immediate, expert attention, and we’re committed to providing that care when you need it most. Our experienced medical teams are ready to diagnose and treat your skin infection with the latest protocols and advanced treatment options.

Whether you’re in Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Fort Worth, East Texas, Lubbock, San Antonio, or Colorado Springs, you have access to comprehensive emergency care that puts your health and recovery first. Don’t let a bacterial skin infection disrupt your life — visit your nearest Complete Care location today and get back to feeling like yourself again.