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Health library/Cellulitis

Skin and hair

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection involving deeper skin tissues. It can spread and requires prompt assessment rather than being treated as an ordinary rash.

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What you may notice

Symptoms can overlap with other conditions and vary between people.

  • Warm, tender skin
  • Swelling
  • Redness or other skin color change
  • Fever

Understanding care

Clinical care may include prompt examination and clinician-directed infection treatment. A qualified clinician decides which investigations and options fit the individual situation.

When to seek help

Painful spreading skin inflammation, fever or rapidly worsening swelling needs prompt medical assessment. Confusion, collapse or breathing difficulty requires emergency services.

For severe breathing difficulty, collapse, suspected stroke, or another emergency, call local emergency services immediately. In India, call 112.

Read the medical sources

These sources support the educational article and offer more detail.

Educational reading · Updated 6 October 2026

Prepared from the linked sources. This summary has not had an independent clinician review. A qualified clinician can assess symptoms and explain which information applies to you.

A child and a caring grown-up reading a picture book together

LITTLE PEOPLE. BIG FEELINGS.

It’s okay to have
a lot of questions.

A doctor visit or an unfamiliar health word can feel scary. You can ask a trusted grown-up to help you understand, one small question at a time.

01

Say how you feel.

“I feel worried” is a good place to start.

02

Ask for simple words.

“Can you explain that in a way I understand?”

03

Bring someone you trust.

A caring adult can help you ask and listen.

For children and their grown-ups. This illustration explains a conversation, not a diagnosis. An adult should seek qualified care for a child who is unwell.

Cellulitis — First AID health library