Cellulitis / Erysipelas Quiz
Check your symptoms and
find possible causes with AI for free
Worried about your symptoms?
Start the Cellulitis / Erysipelas test with our free AI Symptom Checker.
This will help us personalize your assessment.
By starting the symptom checker, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Swelling of the affected area
Rashes
Red blotches on the skin
Hot skin
Redness of the skin
Pain in the arm
Swollen feet
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Cellulitis / Erysipelas?
A bacterial skin infection, cellulitis occurs when bacteria invade the skin through a tear, which can be caused by insect bites, wounds, or scratching. People with diabetes and weakened immune systems have a higher risk.
Typical Symptoms of Cellulitis / Erysipelas
- Warm hands and feet
- Affected area is warm to touch
- Taking steroids
- Redness in the affected area
- Swelling in the affected area
- Swelling of the arms or hands
- On medications that suppresses the immune system
- Insect sting or injury from animals
Diagnostic Questions for Cellulitis / Erysipelas
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Do you have warm hands and feet?
- Is the affected area hot to touch?
- Are you currently taking steroids?
- Is the affected area red?
- Do you have swelling in the affected area?
Treatment of Cellulitis / Erysipelas
Most cases can be treated with antibiotic pills, but if unresponsive, stronger injectable antibiotics may be needed. Painkillers and antihistamines can help relieve symptoms.
Reviewed By:
Saqib Baig, MD, MS (Pulmonology, Critical Care, Internal Medicine)
Dr. Baig graduated from Army Medical College (NUST) Pakistan in 2007. He did his internal medicine training from Baltimore, Maryland, USA during the years 2009-2013. He joined the internal medicine faculty practice at Medical College of Wisconsin in USA for 2 years before pursuing advanced training. He completed his pulmonary disease and critical care medicine fellowship from Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School from 2015-2018. | | During his fellowship, Dr. Baig completed his master's in health care services management through Rutgers Business School. He currently serves as the medical director of respiratory therapy and pulmonary function lab and the clinical director of the COPD program at the Jane and Leonard Korman Respiratory Institute at Thomas Jefferson University. He holds the Assistant Professor of Medicine rank at Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University. Dr. Baig's interests lie in respiratory physiology, airways disease, and data science.
Yukiko Ueda, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Ueda graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine and trained at the University of Tokyo Medical School. She is currently a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, and holds several posts in the dermatology departments at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Komagome Hospital, University of Tokyo, and the Medical Center of Japan Red Cross Society.
Content updated on Feb 13, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
Was this page helpful?
Tell your friends about us.
We would love to help them too.
Think you might have
Cellulitis / Erysipelas?
Try a symptom check testHow Ubie Can Help You
With a free 3-min Cellulitis / Erysipelas quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Hands and feet feel hot
- Redness
- Hot palms and feet
- Limbs feel hot
- Red blotches on face that come and go
- The area is hot to touch
- Warm hands and feet but no fever
- Swollen area
- Fever with hot hands and feet
- Skin has heat
- Only hands and feet are hot
- Abnormal redness of the entire skin surface
- The lower leg feels hot
- Calf feels hot
- Redness and irritation in private area
See full list
Symptoms Related to Cellulitis / Erysipelas
Diseases Related to Cellulitis / Erysipelas
FAQs
Q.
Is That Skin Sore Infected? Why Staphylococcus Spreads and Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
There are several factors to consider. Spreading redness, warmth, swelling, tenderness, pus, or fever can signal a staph skin infection, which spreads easily through small skin breaks, direct contact, and shared items, especially when the skin barrier or immune system is weakened. Medically approved next steps include gentle washing, covering the sore, warm compresses for small boils, avoiding squeezing, and prompt medical evaluation for spreading pain, fever, red streaks, facial involvement, diabetes, or immune compromise; see below for complete guidance, including when urgent care is needed and how drainage, cultures, and antibiotics are used.
References:
* Stevens DL, Bisno AL, Chambers HF, Dellinger EP, Goldstein EJ, Gorbach SL, Hirschmann JV, Kaplan SL, Montoya AS, Wade JC; Infectious Diseases Society of America. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of skin and soft tissue infections: 2014 update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2014 Jul 15;59(2):e10-52. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciu296. Erratum in: Clin Infect Dis. 2015 Apr 1;60(7):1135. PMID: 24979140.
* Krismer B, Unger MM, Brötz-Oesterhelt H, Peschel A. Pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus Skin Infections. Trends Microbiol. 2018 Mar;26(3):260-272. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2017.11.006. Epub 2017 Dec 23. PMID: 29329864.
* Roxborough A. Diagnosis and management of common bacterial skin infections in primary care. Practitioner. 2022 Jan;266(1814):11-14. PMID: 35133642.
* Klevens RM, Lee R, Sievert DM, Perencevich EN, Weinstein RA, Gorwitz RJ, Jernigan JA. Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2014 Dec;28(4):595-611. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2014.08.003. PMID: 25239276.
* Liu C. Skin and soft tissue infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Clin Dermatol. 2015 Nov-Dec;33(6):613-20. doi: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2015.05.006. Epub 2015 May 27. PMID: 26570682.
Q.
Is Your MRSA Infection Not Healing? The Reality & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
If your MRSA infection is not improving within 48 to 72 hours or is worsening, common reasons include the wrong antibiotic, an abscess that needs drainage, spreading cellulitis, underlying conditions, or reinfection, and urgent signs like fever or rapidly spreading redness require immediate care. Medically approved next steps include prompt reevaluation with culture and possible drainage or antibiotic change, completing all prescribed meds, meticulous wound care and home hygiene, and considering decolonization for recurrences; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete guidance below.
References:
* Liu C, Bayer A, Cosgrove SE, Daum RS, Fridkin SK, Gorwitz RJ, Kaplan JM, Karchmer AL, Levine RP, Murray BE, J. Rybak MJ, Talan DE, Lipman TL, Skolnik PK, Wagner K, Sevenler D, Spellberg B, Ticehurst JR, Chambers HF, Fowler VG Jr, Franco-Paredes C, Kanj SS, Marra AR, O'Horo JC, Parvizi J, Rolston K, Saravolatz LD, Saag MS, Sarin R. Management of Persistent Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia. Clin Infect Dis. 2017 Jan 15;64(2):212-219. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciw700. PMID: 27742721.
* Gorwitz RJ. Strategies for the management of recurrent MRSA infections. Semin Cutan Med Surg. 2011 Sep;30(3):142-8. doi: 10.1016/j.sder.2011.05.006. PMID: 21962495.
* Kanj SS, Fowler VG Jr. Treatment Failure in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia: An Update. Curr Infect Dis Rep. 2017 Nov 6;19(12):50. doi: 10.1007/s11908-017-0604-x. PMID: 29110196.
* Pankey GA, Bell JG. Management of Refractory Skin and Soft Tissue Infections. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2017 Mar;31(1):21-34. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2016.10.003. PMID: 28153177.
* Bassetti M, Righi E, Tagliaferri E, Fasciana T, Tascini C. Recent advances in the treatment of complicated skin and soft tissue infections due to MRSA. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2017 Dec;18(17):1851-1863. doi: 10.1080/14656566.2017.1400275. PMID: 29083329.
Q.
Is it a Bite? Why Your Skin is "Angry" and Medically-Proven MRSA Steps
A.
Red, swollen, painful "angry skin" that looks like a bite is often a staph infection, including MRSA, not an insect bite; key clues are pain more than itch, rapid growth over 24 to 48 hours, warmth or firmness, pus, fever, or a more diffuse spread that suggests cellulitis. Medically proven steps are to avoid squeezing, keep it clean and covered, track changes, and seek prompt care for possible drainage and the right antibiotics, with urgent evaluation for fever, red streaks, severe pain, or feeling unwell; there are several factors to consider, and the complete, step-by-step guidance and prevention tips are detailed below.
References:
* Miller, L. G., & Kaplan, S. L. (2021). Methicillin-resistant *Staphylococcus aureus* (MRSA) infections in children and adults. *Lancet*, *398*(10299), 500–512.
* Talan, D. A., & Salmi, D. A. (2020). Management of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections. *Infectious Disease Clinics of North America*, *34*(4), 743–764.
* See, I., & Dantes, R. (2020). Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: An Update for the Clinician. *Clinical Infectious Diseases*, *71*(Supplement_1), S101–S107.
* Bassetti, M., Righi, E., & Peghin, M. (2019). Clinical Management of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections. *Current Treatment Options in Infectious Diseases*, *11*(4), 223–236.
* Spaan, A. N., van Strijp, J. A. G., & de Haas, C. J. C. (2017). Staphylococcus aureus virulence factors: A historical perspective. *FEMS Microbiology Reviews*, *41*(4), 407–421.
Q.
Can I use topical and oral antibiotics together?
A.
Yes, you can use topical and oral antibiotics together, especially for treating acne, as they can work better when combined. See below to understand more.
References:
Del Rosso JQ. (2016). Topical and oral antibiotics for acne vulgaris. Seminars in cutaneous medicine and surgery, 27416309.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27416309/
Thiboutot DM, Shalita AR, Yamauchi PS, Dawson C, Arsonnaud S, Kang S, & Differin Study Group. (2005). Combination therapy with adapalene gel 0.1% and .... Skinmed, 15891249.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15891249/
Zaenglein AL, Shamban A, Webster G, Del Rosso J, Dover JS, Swinyer L, et al. (2013). A phase IV, open-label study evaluating the use of triple- .... Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD, 23839176.
Ubie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide
Our symptom checker AI is continuously refined with input from experienced physicians, empowering them to make more accurate diagnoses.
Ubie is recognized by healthcare and tech leaders
“World’s Best Digital
Health Companies”
Newsweek 2024
“Best With AI”
Google Play Best of 2023
“Best in Class”
Digital Health Awards 2023 (Quarterfinalist)
Which is the best Symptom Checker?
Ubie’s symptom checker demonstrated a Top-10 hit accuracy of 71.6%, surpassing the performance of several leading symptom checkers in the market, which averaged around 60% accuracy in similar assessments.
Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Wilcox, M. H., & Dryden, M. (2021). Update on the epidemiology of healthcare-acquired bacterial infections: focus on complicated skin and skin structure infections. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.
https://academic.oup.com/jac/article-abstract/76/Supplement_4/iv2/6437934Ren, Z., & Silverberg, J. I. (2020). Association of atopic dermatitis with bacterial, fungal, viral, and sexually transmitted skin infections. Dermatitis.
https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/abs/10.1097/DER.0000000000000526Ramakrishnan, K., Salinas, R. C., & Higuita, N. I. A. (2015). Skin and soft tissue infections. American Family Physician.
https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2015/0915/p474.html