Cellulitis and erysipelas - What are the symptoms?
In this section
Cellulitis and erysipelas cause a large, red patch of inflamed skin. They can be very painful, but are usually easy to treat.
Cellulitis
The main symptom of cellulitis is a patch of skin that feels hot and is red and sore. This patch is usually on your legs or arms, but it can appear anywhere.[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
The affected area may get bigger and the patch of skin may blister.[1] [2] [3] [4]
Some people get:[1] [2] [3] [4]
Erysipelas
The symptoms of erysipelas are very similar to the symptoms of cellulitis. It's treated the same way.
The main difference is that erysipelas affects the layers of skin nearer the surface. So the inflamed patch of skin may be raised above the normal skin around it.[4]
Other problems
If your cellulitis is severe, you may also get blood poisoning. Or the infection can spread or get worse, damaging skin over a wide area.[2]
References
- Kilburn S, et al. Interventions for cellulitis and erysipelas. (Protocol) (Cochrane review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2003. Update Software, Oxford, UK.
- Clinical Resource Efficiency Support Team (CREST). Guidelines on the management of cellulitis in adults. June 2005. Available at http://www.crestni.org.uk (accessed on 8 January 2008).
- Swartz MN. Cellulitis. New England Journal of Medicine. 2004; 350: 904-912.
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Group A Streptococcal Infections. November 2005. Fact Sheet. Available at http://www.niaid.nih.gov/factsheets/strep.htm (accessed on 7 January 2008).
Glossary
- gland
- A gland is any group of cells in the body that makes and releases something for use by another part of the body. For example, the thyroid gland makes a hormone called thyroxine. This acts on receptors within cells. By acting on the receptors it gives the cells a message to speed up their metabolism and work harder.
- fever
- If you have a fever, your body temperature is above 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit). With a fever you often get other symptoms, such as shivering, headache or sweating. A fever is usually caused by an infection.
- blood poisoning
- A severe infection in your blood is called blood poisoning or septicaemia. Bacteria get into your blood and multiply quickly. Blood poisoning requires emergency treatment with antibiotics. The symptoms are fever, shivering, low blood pressure, confusion and a rash. If it isn't treated quickly, it can cause serious damage to parts of your body. And it may cause death.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited ("BMJ Group") 2007. All rights reserved
This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.
