Going home after your visit
Cellulitis — advice for adults
How to look after a skin infection at home, and the signs that mean you need help.
You have cellulitis — an infection of the skin and the tissue underneath. It is treated with antibiotics. It should start to improve within 2–3 days of starting them, though the skin can take longer to look normal.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Come back to A&E — or call 999 if you are very unwell — if any of these happen
These can be signs the infection is spreading or getting into your blood.
- The redness, pain or swelling spreads or worsens despite 2–3 days of antibiotics
- A red streak or line spreads up the limb, towards your body
- A high temperature, shivering, or feeling very unwell (a possible blood infection)
- Pain that is far worse than the skin looks
- The skin blisters, or turns dark, purple or black
- You feel confused or dizzy, your heart is racing, or you are breathing fast
CALL 999 Call 999 if you are too unwell to get to hospital, or someone collapses.
Caring for yourself
- Take the full course of antibiotics, exactly as prescribed, even once you feel better.
- Rest, and raise the affected part above the level of your heart when you can, to bring down swelling.
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain and fever if you can take them.
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- If a leg is affected, keep gently moving your ankle.
A helpful tip
It can help to draw a line around the edge of the redness with a pen, and note the time. If the redness spreads beyond the line over the next day, or you feel more unwell, you can show this when you seek help — it shows the infection is not settling.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a red-flag symptom above
111
Urgent but not life-threatening, or you're not sure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team
Use the department phone in Your care details above