Cellulitis

When To Call A Professional

Call your doctor whenever a skin injury becomes red, warm, swollen or tender. Call your doctor promptly if you get a deep puncture wound, especially on a hand or foot, or if you are bitten by an animal or human.

Prognosis

In most cases, symptoms of cellulitis begin to improve within 24 to 48 hours of starting treatment with appropriate antibiotics. You should always take all the antibiotics prescribed by your doctor, even if you think your infection has been cured. The prognosis is generally good, but the condition can return, especially in people with poor circulation, chronic (long-term) swelling in the legs or skin that is in poor condition.

Additional Info

National Center for Infectious Diseases Office of Health Communication Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Mailstop C-14 1600 Clifton Rd., NE Atlanta, GA 30333 Toll-Free: (888) 232-3228 http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/