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Cellulitis (Skin Infection)

A common bacterial infection of the deeper layers of the skin that makes an area red or discolored, swollen, warm and painful — most often on the lower leg. Antibiotics usually clear it, but it can spread quickly, so it needs prompt care, and it often comes back unless the cracked skin or swelling that let it in is looked after.

Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have cellulitis and:

Don’t drive yourself — ask someone to take you, or call for an ambulance (NHS).

Get medical care right away — the same day, at urgent care, your doctor or the ER — if:

What is cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a common bacterial infection of the deeper layers of the skin and the tissue beneath it (CDC, MedlinePlus). Group A Streptococcus (strep) bacteria are the most common cause (MedlinePlus, CDC), and mild skin infections are also often caused by Staphylococcus aureus (staph) (Chambliss et al., 2026). The bacteria get in through an injury such as a cut, bite, bruise, burn or surgical wound, or through skin that is cracked and dry (MedlinePlus, NHS). Sometimes the break is too small to notice (NHS).

It can happen anywhere on the body but is most common on the feet and lower legs (CDC, NHS). It usually isn’t passed from person to person, because it is in the deeper layers of the skin (NHS, CDC).

What does it look like?

Who is more likely to get it?

Is it cellulitis, or something else?

A red, swollen leg isn’t always an infection. Before diagnosing cellulitis, clinicians are advised to consider other causes such as venous stasis dermatitis (skin irritation from poor blood flow in the leg veins) and deep vein thrombosis (Chambliss et al., 2026). Cellulitis in both legs at once is rare (Chambliss et al., 2026). Mix-ups are common: in one U.S. hospital study, about 3 in 10 people admitted from the emergency department for leg cellulitis turned out to have something else, and most of them got antibiotics they didn’t need (Weng et al., 2017).

A blood clot can look similar. A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can cause swelling, pain or tenderness, warmth, and redness or discoloration of the leg or arm, and needs medical care right away (CDC) — see our Blood Clots guide. This is one more reason to have a red, swollen limb checked rather than guess.

How is it diagnosed?

Usually by a physical exam of the skin; blood or other lab tests usually aren’t needed (CDC, Chambliss et al., 2026). A clinician may take a sample or culture from the skin, or do a blood test, to identify the bacteria causing the infection (MedlinePlus), and a white blood cell count can help show how severe it is (Chambliss et al., 2026). A bedside (point-of-care) ultrasound can reliably tell cellulitis apart from a pocket of pus (an abscess) (Chambliss et al., 2026).

Complications

If cellulitis isn’t treated quickly, the infection can spread to other parts of the body, such as the blood, muscles and bones (NHS). The CDC lists infections of the bloodstream, heart valves, bones and joints, and a blood clot with swelling in a vein (thrombophlebitis), and describes these complications as uncommon (CDC). Very rarely, a skin infection turns out to be necrotizing fasciitis, which gets worse quickly, must be treated in hospital with antibiotics through a vein and surgery to remove damaged tissue, and can be fatal even with treatment (CDC, NHS).

Outlook

Early antibiotic treatment can stop cellulitis becoming more serious, and most people make a full recovery after 7 to 10 days (NHS). It often comes back, though, so looking after your skin and any swelling matters (see When cellulitis keeps coming back and Wellness coaching below).

Side by side

Six approaches compared

For every condition we look at the same six approaches: what each involves, what it typically costs, and what a patient can realistically expect.

ApproachWhat it involves Estimated costWhat to expect
Conventional medicine (AMA) Antibiotics, usually by mouth (penicillin-type or cephalosporin antibiotics for most cases), finishing the whole course; raising the limb; draining any abscess; hospital and IV antibiotics for severe infections; and treating athlete’s foot and swelling to prevent repeats. Antibiotic prices at one listing (updated 10/31/2026): generic cephalexin, 28 capsules, about $9.95 with a free discount card ($6.95 with a one-time sign-up bonus; average cash price about $44.77), and generic penicillin V potassium, 28 tablets, about $12.77 ($9.77 with the bonus; uninsured price listed at $74.32). If you are admitted for IV antibiotics, Medicare Part A in 2026 charges a $1,736 deductible per benefit period, then $0 a day for days 1–60. Other costs: being researched. It may look worse in the first 2 days, then improve; most people feel better within 7 to 10 days. Call your clinician if you aren’t improving after 2 to 3 days. It often comes back, so prevention matters.
Chiropractic No role in treating cellulitis, a bacterial infection that needs antibiotics. Not a treatment for cellulitis, so no cost is listed. Avoid hands-on treatment on or near infected, red or swollen skin.
Acupuncture No role in treating cellulitis, a bacterial infection that needs antibiotics. Not a treatment for cellulitis, so no cost is listed. Never have needles on or near infected skin; improper needling can itself cause infection.
Herbal medicine No herb or supplement treats cellulitis — it needs antibiotics. Tea tree oil, honey and colloidal silver are not substitutes. Cost estimate being researched. Trying home remedies instead of antibiotics can let the infection spread to the blood or deeper tissue. Some products, such as colloidal silver, can also interfere with how some antibiotics are absorbed.
Massage therapy Not a treatment for cellulitis. Never massage or rub infected, red or swollen skin. Manual lymphatic drainage for lymphedema is only for after the infection has cleared, by a trained therapist, with your clinician’s OK. Not applicable. Massage won’t clear an infection, and manual lymphatic drainage may not be suitable while there is an infection in the swollen area.
MBHA Wellness Coach Everyday skin care: moisturize to prevent cracks, clean and cover cuts, wear well-fitting shoes, check feet daily with diabetes, treat athlete’s foot, manage swelling (compression as advised), work toward a healthy weight, wash hands, and don’t share razors or towels. Cost estimate being researched. Good habits lower the chance of cellulitis and of it coming back. They work alongside medical care, never instead of antibiotics for an active infection.

Approach 1 of 6

Conventional medicine (AMA)

Cellulitis is treated with antibiotics, and it can be serious if it isn’t treated quickly (NHS, CDC). If your skin is painful, hot and swollen, get an urgent appointment with a clinician (NHS).

1. Antibiotics — and finishing the course

2. Watching the first few days

Symptoms can get a little worse in the first 48 hours of treatment before they improve; contact your clinician if you aren’t starting to feel better 2 to 3 days after starting antibiotics (NHS). Get care right away if the red area spreads quickly or you get a fever or chills (CDC).

3. Comfort and healing at home

  • Raise the affected arm or leg — on a pillow or chair when you are sitting or lying down — to reduce swelling and speed up recovery (CDC, NHS).
  • Gently move the nearby joint, such as your ankle or wrist, so it doesn’t get stiff, and drink plenty of fluids (NHS).
  • Over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (paracetamol) or ibuprofen can ease the pain (NHS). Ibuprofen isn’t suitable for everyone — for example people with a stomach ulcer, asthma, or a heart, liver or kidney condition — so check with a pharmacist or your clinician if you aren’t sure (NHS).
  • Don’t pick at, squeeze or pop the area, and clean your hands often (CDC).
  • Compression during the infection: ask first. The NHS advises not wearing compression stockings until you are better (NHS). If you normally wear compression for lymphedema or leg swelling, follow your own clinician’s or lymphedema team’s advice.

4. When a hospital stay is needed

If cellulitis is severe, you may be sent to hospital for treatment (NHS), where more serious infections are treated with antibiotics through a vein (CDC, MedlinePlus). Orbital cellulitis, an infection that has spread deeper than the eyelid, usually means a hospital stay with IV antibiotics, and sometimes surgery to drain it (American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus).

5. MRSA and abscesses

MRSA is a type of staph that resists several antibiotics. You can’t tell by looking whether an infection is MRSA — it is often mistaken for a spider bite — and a lab test of a sample is needed to confirm it (CDC). Skin infections with pus are more likely to involve MRSA (Chambliss et al., 2026). If there is an abscess, it is usually opened and drained, followed by antibiotics; severe cellulitis may be treated with antibiotics that also cover MRSA (Chambliss et al., 2026, CDC). Never try to pop or drain a bump yourself (CDC).

6. Treating what let the infection in

People who are prone to cellulitis should treat athlete’s foot promptly (NHS), and repeated cellulitis below the knee is a reason to check for a fungal foot infection (CDC). Cracked skin between the toes, dermatitis, open wounds and leg ulcers should all be treated, and swelling brought under control (British Lymphology Society guideline, 2022). If cellulitis keeps coming back, some people are offered a long-term antibiotic to prevent repeat infections (NHS) — see When cellulitis keeps coming back below.

Who to see

A primary care provider or urgent care clinic can usually diagnose and treat cellulitis; use the emergency room for the warning signs at the top of this page. If it keeps coming back, ask about a dermatologist, a podiatrist, or a lymphedema service.

What it costs

MBHA cost estimate being researched (antibiotics, urgent care and doctor visits).

How well it works — what to expect

With prompt treatment most people make a full recovery after 7 to 10 days (NHS). Contact your clinician if you aren’t starting to feel better 2 to 3 days after starting antibiotics (NHS).

Find a medical doctor in our directory

Approach 2 of 6

Chiropractic

Chiropractic care has no role in treating cellulitis, which is a bacterial infection that needs antibiotics. We found no research suggesting otherwise. Never have adjustments or other hands-on treatment on or near infected, red or swollen skin, and don’t let any treatment put off seeing a health care provider.

Find a chiropractor in our directory

Approach 3 of 6

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has no role in treating cellulitis. Never have needles placed on or near infected, red or swollen skin. Acupuncture done improperly or with non-sterile needles can itself cause infections, and it shouldn’t be used to put off seeing a health care provider (NCCIH).

Find an acupuncturist in our directory

Approach 4 of 6

Herbal medicine

Cellulitis needs antibiotics. We found no herb, essential oil or supplement shown to treat it. Delaying antibiotics to try a home remedy can be dangerous: untreated, cellulitis can spread and cause serious problems, including infection of the blood (CDC, NHS). Products that haven’t been proven safe and effective should never be a reason to put off seeing a health care provider (NCCIH).

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has a little research for acne and athlete’s foot, but for other conditions there isn’t enough evidence to say whether it helps (NCCIH). We found no research on tea tree oil for cellulitis. If you use it for athlete’s foot to help protect your skin, never swallow it, and stop if your skin becomes red or irritated (NCCIH) — see our Athlete’s Foot guide.

Honey

Manuka honey has antibacterial effects and is used in some medical wound dressings, but Memorial Sloan Kettering advises patients not to treat themselves with honey products: any infection should be examined by a physician or other qualified professional (Memorial Sloan Kettering).

Colloidal silver

Colloidal silver was used for infections before antibiotics existed, but the FDA has warned that it isn’t safe or effective for treating any disease. It can permanently turn the skin bluish-gray, and it can interfere with how some antibiotics are absorbed (NCCIH).

In short: take the antibiotic you are prescribed, finish the course, and tell your clinician about any herb or supplement you use. We don’t list doses here.

Approach 5 of 6

Massage therapy

Don’t massage or rub skin that has cellulitis. Cancer Research UK advises against massage where the skin is broken (Cancer Research UK), and even the specialist lymphedema massage (manual lymphatic drainage) may not be suitable if there is an infection or inflammation in the swollen area, or a blood clot (Cancer Research UK).

Massage doesn’t treat an infection, and it shouldn’t be used to put off seeing a health care provider (NCCIH). Cancer Research UK also advises against general massage on an arm or leg swollen with lymphedema (Cancer Research UK).

Lymphedema: after the infection has cleared

For people whose cellulitis is linked to lymphedema, controlling the swelling is part of preventing the next infection (British Lymphology Society guideline, 2022). Manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) is a gentle, specialized massage that moves lymph fluid out of a swollen area. It is one part of a lymphedema treatment program, alongside compression, exercise and skin care, and is given by a specialist therapist such as a certified lymphedema therapist (National Cancer Institute, NHS). It isn’t meant to be the only treatment: afterward the area is usually bandaged or a compression garment is worn (Cancer Research UK).

Find a massage therapist in our directory

Approach 6 of 6

MBHA Wellness Coach

Most cellulitis starts at a break in the skin, and it often comes back. An MBHA Wellness Coach can help you build the small daily habits that protect your skin and keep swelling down — especially if you have diabetes, lymphedema or have had cellulitis before.

Keep skin healthy and unbroken

Look after cuts and scrapes promptly

If you have diabetes

Check your feet every day for wounds, redness, swelling and blisters (a mirror helps); wash them daily in warm, not hot, water and dry them well; moisturize the tops and bottoms but not between the toes; and never go barefoot, even indoors. Don’t wait for your next appointment if you notice a fungal infection between your toes, dry cracked skin, or a sore or blister (CDC). Keeping chronic conditions such as diabetes well managed also lowers the risk of sepsis (CDC).

Manage swelling

Work toward a healthy weight

Being overweight is a risk factor for cellulitis (CDC), and obesity is linked with repeat episodes and reduces lymph drainage. Lymphedema specialists recommend weight management alongside treating swelling (British Lymphology Society guideline, 2022). A coach can help with realistic, step-by-step changes to eating and activity.

Clean hands, and don’t share personal items (MRSA prevention)

A coach is never a substitute for medical care. If you notice the warning signs at the top of this page, get help right away.

Another approach

When cellulitis keeps coming back

Cellulitis often comes back — in as many as 29% of cases, according to one review, and especially in people with lymphedema, long-lasting leg swelling, or cancer (Chambliss et al., 2026). Repeated infections below the knee are a reason to check for a fungal foot infection such as athlete’s foot (CDC), and people who are prone to cellulitis should treat athlete’s foot promptly (NHS). The first step is always to treat the “way in”: the skin between the toes, wounds, ulcers and swelling (British Lymphology Society guideline, 2022). Two other approaches have been tested in trials:

Compression for leg swelling

  • In an Australian trial of 84 adults with chronic leg swelling and repeated cellulitis, those given compression garments plus education had fewer repeat infections than those given education alone (15% vs. 40%), and the trial was stopped early because the difference was clear. It was small, single-center and not blinded (Webb et al., 2020).
  • Longer follow-up of the same trial, to 18 months, found cellulitis in 20% of the compression group and 47% of the control group (Webb et al., 2026). A compression-garment maker supplied the garments free of charge for that follow-up.

Long-term preventive antibiotics

  • In the PATCH I trial of 274 people with two or more episodes of leg cellulitis, a year of daily penicillin cut repeat infections while people were taking it (22% vs. 37% on a dummy pill), but the protection faded after it was stopped (Thomas et al., 2013).
  • A Cochrane review of six trials reached the same conclusion: preventive antibiotics probably reduce repeat leg cellulitis while they are being taken (moderate-certainty evidence), the benefit seems to fade once they stop, and side effects were mostly minor, such as nausea and rash (Cochrane review, 2017).

Whether preventive antibiotics or compression make sense for you depends on how often you get cellulitis and why. Talk it through with your clinician; never start or stop an antibiotic on your own.

Member stories

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Sources

This page is for education only and is not medical advice. Costs are typical U.S. ranges and estimates; yours will depend on your provider, location and insurance. Talk with your doctor before starting, stopping or combining any treatment. In an emergency, call 911. See our disclaimer.

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