You keep getting cellulitis because bacteria (like Staph or Strep) enter breaks in your skin, often from existing issues like eczema, athlete's foot, cuts, insect bites, or diabetes, and having it once increases your risk of recurrence by disrupting skin barriers or causing fluid buildup (lymphedema). Underlying conditions, weakened immunity, poor circulation, being overweight, and even repeated minor skin trauma create recurring entry points for infection, making proactive skin care crucial.
You can reduce the chances of getting cellulitis again by:
Having another medical condition can increase your risk of getting cellulitis again. Working with your doctor to manage conditions like diabetes, eczema, leg ulcers, or periphery artery disease (PAD) can greatly reduce your cellulitis risk.
Breast cellulitis is an infection of the breast. It happens when bacteria build up in the sweat underneath the breasts. The skin of the breast becomes red, warm, and swollen. Some people also have flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills.
Pinna perichondritis or cellulitis are potentially serious conditions. Pinna cellulitis can occur as a complication of acute otitis externa, a complication of eczema or psoriasis, or from an insect bite. Pinna perichondritis is usually a result of penetrating trauma, including ear piercing.
Cellulitis happens when bacteria enter the body through a crack or break in the skin. Bacteria are most likely to enter broken, dry, flaky or swollen skin. Examples of entry points for bacteria are a recent surgical site, a cut, a puncture wound, a sore, and skin affected by athlete's foot or dermatitis.
Cellulitis usually appears around damaged skin, but it also occurs in areas of your skin with poor hygiene. You can maintain good skin hygiene by: Washing your hands regularly with soap and warm water. Cleaning and trimming your fingernails and toenails.
This type of metastatic lesion is most often associated with carcinoma of the breast, but may also be a manifestation of lung, pancreatic, or gastrointestinal neoplasms. The diagnosis should be suspected when a patient with cellulitis is afebrile and has a normal white blood cell count.
Cellulitis usually improves within 7-10 days with antibiotics, though mild cases can clear in about a week, while more severe or persistent infections might need 2 weeks or longer, with lingering swelling or discoloration possible for weeks or months after the infection clears. Improvement often starts in 2-3 days, but it's crucial to finish the full antibiotic course to prevent complications, as severe cases may require hospitalization and IV antibiotics.
Cephalexin antibiotic begins to kill the bacteria causing a skin infection very quickly. However, you may not notice the skin infection improving for 2 to 3 days. Follow the directions on your cephalexin medication bottle—and finish all doses of cephalexin, even after the skin infection looks and feels better.
A common cause of cellulitis is scratching your skin with dirty fingernails that carry bacteria. Cellulitis can also happen without any visible damage to your skin. The infection usually happens when bacteria enter your skin through: an ulcer.
If you've had cellulitis before, you're more likely to get it again. You can reduce the chances of getting cellulitis again by: keeping skin clean and well moisturised. cleaning any cuts or wounds and using antiseptic cream.
Treatment may include:
Conditions that increase the risk of recurrence include chronic edema, venous disease, dermatomycosis and obesity. These risk factors should be actively managed as further episodes of cellulitis increases the risk of recurrence. The role of non-antibiotic measures is important and should be first-line in prevention.
Several common conditions can mimic cellulitis, creating a potential for misdiagnosis and incorrect management. The most common disorders mistaken for lower limb cellulitis include venous eczema, lipodermatosclerosis, irritant dermatitis, and lymphedema.
Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the area with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage.
They conclude that cephalexin remains the preferred antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated cellulitis. Patients treated with non-β-lactam regimens, primarily tetracycline and macrolides, had more side effects and did less well than cephalexin patients.
If you stop your treatment early, the infection could come back. If you do not start feeling better after taking flucloxacillin for 3 to 5 days, or you start to feel worse at any point, tell your doctor.
Compression bandages and garments
Compression bandages or garments, such as sleeves, gloves, stockings or tights, fitted over affected limbs act as a counterforce to muscles. This stimulates more effective lymph drainage. The combination of exercise and compression encourages the fluid to move out of the affected limb.
Avoid excessive sun exposure: Protect your skin from excessive sun exposure and use sunscreen to reduce the risk of skin damage that can increase the risk of cellulitis.
In a word, yes, cellulitis can often be prevented! It's recommended that patients bathe or shower frequently to prevent excess bacteria build-up on the skin. It's also important to flush skin wounds with clean water immediately and apply antibiotic ointment and a dressing.
In cases where cellulitis spreads despite antibiotic treatment, surgery may be needed to remove infected tissue, particularly in severe infections such as necrotizing fasciitis or wounds associated with chronic conditions.
Drinking more water can almost immediately improve the look of cellulite since dimpling becomes more apparent if your skin is dehydrated. Eating a healthy diet with hydrating fruits and vegetables can also help the look.