Read our. Those at risk may require different antibiotics up front, even though most cellulitis cases are caused by either Staph or Strep infections. To give your immune system an extra boost and help your body fight the infection, take a supplement containing vitamins C and E. Keep reading for more tips from our Medical co-author, including how to prevent cellulitis! Doctors may mark out an area of skin that has developed cellulitis to monitor a persons recovery. It could also be a breakdown of the skin's integrity due to a skin condition like eczema or athletes foot. Cellulitis is an infection in the skin caused by bacteria in which the skin becomes red and swollen. If your cellulitis symptoms do not begin to improve within a few days after starting oral antibiotic treatment, or if your fever worsens and/or you experience nausea or vomiting, seek immediate medical attention to stop the spread of your infection. You can also care for your infected skin by washing the area with warm water and applying an antibiotic ointment. Develop the tech skills you need for work and life. Bacterial skin infections are the 28th most common diagnosis in hospitalized patients. Seek immediate medical attention for cellulitis if the red area of the skin expands quickly or you experience fever or chills. Doctors treat cellulitis with antibiotics, which they administer orally or intravenously, depending on the severity of the infection. Your skin may also be blistered, and you can also have swollen, painful glands. Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. A bacterial culture involves the following: Typically, the laboratory will have preliminary results within 4872 hours if there are many bacteria present. Blood tests can also help to make a diagnosis and reveal if the bacterial infection has reached the bloodstream. Folliculitis is an inflammation of the hair follicles. This should be the final step in your tattoo healing process. The best prevention of cellulitis is to take care of any break in the skin, which includes: It's also important to address with your healthcare provider any underlying health condition that is increasing your risk for developing cellulitis, such as poorly controlled diabetes, obesity, or extremely dry skin. This can cause symptoms such as: A bulging, red eye. Possible causes of venous ulcers . Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you. If the infection is left untreated for too long, cellulitis can result in pockets of pus (abscesses) or the spread of bacteria into the bloodstream (bacteremia). Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure. Cellulitis is a bacterial infection in the deep layers of skin and the layers of fat and tissue beneath. Clin Med (Lond). Treating Cellulitis with Antibiotics and Medicine, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/Treat-Cellulitis-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Treat-Cellulitis-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/05\/Treat-Cellulitis-Step-5-Version-3.jpg\/aid5760888-v4-728px-Treat-Cellulitis-Step-5-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"