People with cellulitis have an area of skin that is:

• Red and inflamed
• very painful
• tender
• swollen
• warm to touch.

People with cellulitis symptoms may also have:

• fever
• chills, shaking or sweating
• nausea
• feeling generally unwell
• blisters or ulcers
• weeping of clear, yellow or pus like fluid
• enlarged glands (lymph nodes).

If you think you or someone in your care has cellulitis, it’s important to see a doctor as soon as possible. Cellulitis can spread and can become serious if not treated with antibiotics.

It’s particularly important to get urgent medical help if:

• the affected skin is on the face
• there is an animal or human bite
• you have a chronic disease such as diabetes or weak immune system
• the redness is spreading very quickly or is very painful.

Follow the links below to find trusted information on cellulitis.