Treatment of Cellulitis

If cellulitis is left untreated, it can rapidly turn-life threatening. The condition can affect the tissues underlying your skin and can spread to your lymph nodes and bloodstream. You should seek emergency care if you have a red, swollen, tender rash that is changing rapidly and a fever.

Our platform has an image upload feature that is extremely helpful for both providers and patients. With this feature, our physicians can get a precise, detailed look at your rash before the visit even begins. This feature is also very useful to see how your rash has progressed. If your rash has been present for a while and you have a picture from early on, it is helpful for our providers to see the comparison. If your outbreak is on your face, this feature is specifically useful for those who wear makeup – you can take a picture when you have a clean face, save it, and upload it before your visit! For best results we recommend pictures be taken in bright, natural light, close to the rash, and from a few different angles. If you can give a size perspective, like laying a dime near the rash, this can be extremely helpful, as well.

Once a diagnosis has been made, your doctor will go over the risks and benefits of the various treatment plans. Treatment for cellulitis is different depending on the severity. However, a consistent skin care routine is imperative for successful treatment. This is sometimes difficult for adolescent patients, so follow-up visits, especially at the beginning of treatment, will be important.

Options for treatment of dermatitis may include:

• Washing the wound daily with soap and water
• Applying a protective cream or ointment to the outbreak
• Covering the wound with a bandage
• A prescription for antibiotics or penicillin