Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that affects the deeper layers of the skin. It enters the body through broken skin and causes redness, pain, and inflammation. This condition can affect any part of the body, but it mostly affects the legs.
If left untreated, cellulitis can spread into the bloodstream and become life-threatening. Seek medical care if you have cellulitis. The infection is best treated in its early stages. Find out how to treat this condition here.
Antibiotics
You need antibiotics to treat cellulitis. This is because the condition is caused by a bacterial infection that only antibiotics can clear. You should not use antibiotics without seeking advice from a qualified physician first.
Treatment often depends on how severe the infection is. Doctors will observe your symptoms and prescribe antibiotics accordingly. If your infection is in its early stages, they may prescribe a round of oral antibiotics to treat the condition.
Cellulitis is usually caused by either streptococcus or staphylococcus bacteria. Doctors usually recommend antibiotics that deal with both types of bacteria. These include [1] amoxicillin (Augmentin), azithromycin (Zithromax), dicloxacillin (Dynapen), and moxifloxacin (Avelox).
If your cellulitis is caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), it may not respond to these standard drugs. In such a situation, your doctor may prescribe different types of antibiotics, such as [2] clindamycin (Cleocin) trimethoprim (Bactrim DS, or doxycycline (Vibramycin)
Symptoms generally start to subside within 48 hours [3]. If your infection does not respond to oral antibiotics and continues to worsen, your doctor may switch to intravenous antibiotics.
Ensure you finish your dose even if your symptoms have largely disappeared. If you do not, the infection may return and be more resistant to antibiotic treatment.