Treatment

Early treatment with antibiotics is usually successful. Most people receive treatment at home, but some need to receive it in a hospital.

A doctor may suggest one or more of the following treatments:

Medication

A mild case of cellulitis usually responds to oral antibiotic treatment in 7–14 days. The symptoms may initially worsen, but they usually start easing within 2 days.

Different types of antibiotics can treat cellulitis. The doctor will decide on the best option after taking into account the type of bacteria causing the infection and factors specific to each person.

Most people recover within 2 weeks, but it may take longer if the symptoms are severe.

A doctor may prescribe a low-dose oral antibiotic for a person to take long term to help prevent a reoccurrence.

Treatment in the hospital

Some people with severe cellulitis require hospital treatment, especially if:

• they have a high fever
• they are vomiting
• they are experiencing a reoccurrence of cellulitis
• the current treatment is not working
• their symptoms are becoming more severe

In the hospital, most people with this type of infection receive antibiotic treatment through an IV, with a drip that delivers the medication through a vein in the arm.