Cellulitis

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask you about how your cellulitis developed and your symptoms, including whether you have:

• Had recent injuries such as cuts, scrapes, bites, or puncture wounds

• Previously injured the area or been operated on there

• Been exposed to fish tanks, pond water or animals

• Medical problems that increase your risk of complications

• Shaking chills or other symptoms that suggest the infection has spread to the bloodstream or to surrounding organs

Many people who develop cellulitis have no other medical problems and no obvious injury or skin damage that allowed the infection to occur.

Your doctor can usually diagnose cellulitis based on the history of your injury, your symptoms, and a physical examination. If your skin wound is draining fluid or pus, your doctor may take a sample of wound drainage for tests to identify the type of bacteria and use specific antibiotics to eliminate the bacteria. Your doctor may recommend tests to exclude other conditions that may mimic cellulitis. For example, an ultrasound of the veins in your leg can help detect a blood clot. X-rays can be helpful to determine whether the skin infection has spread to the bone.

Expected Duration

How long cellulitis lasts depends on the type of skin injury, the bacteria that caused the infection, and your general health. Without proper antibiotic treatment, some forms of cellulitis can cause serious complications within a few days, even in otherwise healthy people.