This image displays a red, swollen, tender leg typical of cellulitis, a bacterial skin and soft tissue infection. The outline in pen was drawn when the patient presented to the emergency room. Within a day the skin infection had enlarged and blisters (bullae) had formed. Cellulitis is a serious infection requiring intravenous antibiotics. Severe redness and swelling are typical in cellulitis. The skin is usually very warm to the touch. An outline defining the involved skin in patients with cellulitis is used to track improvement as antibiotics take effect. Cellulitis often causes warmth, redness, pain or tenderness, and skin swelling. The common features in cellulitis, a skin and soft tissue infection, are redness, warmth, and swelling of the infected skin. Orbital cellulitis quickly develops with redness, pain, and marked swelling around the eye.
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Cellulitis:
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Picture of Cellulitis: This image displays a red, swollen, tender leg typical of cellulitis, a bacterial skin and soft tissue infection. Divider line
This image displays a red, swollen, tender leg typical of cellulitis, a bacterial skin and soft tissue infection.
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Signs and Symptoms
The most common locations for cellulitis include:
  • Lower legs
  • Arms or hands
  • Face
Cellulitis initially appears as pink-to-red, slightly inflamed skin. The affected skin quickly becomes deeper red, swollen, warm, and tender, and the affected area increases in size as the infection spreads. Occasionally, red streaks may radiate outward from the cellulitis. Blisters or pus-filled pockets (pustules) may be present.

Cellulitis may occur with swollen lymph glands. Fever and chills are common.
Last Modified: 29 Jan 2008

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