Red, Painful Skin? Why Your Leg Is Swelling & Medical Next Steps

If your leg is red, warm, swollen, and painful to the touch, it's natural to feel concerned. These symptoms are common, but they should never be ignored. One possible cause is cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection that can become serious without proper treatment.

Understanding what might be happening—and knowing what to do next—can help you act quickly and confidently.

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What Is Cellulitis?

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the deeper layers of the skin and the tissue underneath. It most often affects the lower legs, but it can occur anywhere on the body.

The infection typically develops when bacteria enter through:

• A cut or scrape
• A cracked heel
• An insect bite
• Surgical wounds
• Athlete's foot or other skin conditions
• Even dry, cracked skin

Once inside, bacteria can spread rapidly through the skin tissue.

Cellulitis is not usually contagious, but it can become serious if left untreated.

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Common Symptoms of Cellulitis

Symptoms often develop quickly and may worsen over hours to a few days.

You may notice:

• Redness that spreads
• Swelling
• Warmth over the affected area
• Pain or tenderness
• Skin that looks tight or shiny
• Fever or chills
• Swollen lymph nodes

In some cases, red streaks may extend from the affected area. This can indicate the infection is spreading through the lymphatic system.

If redness is expanding quickly, or you develop fever, that's a sign you need prompt medical attention.

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Why Is My Leg Swelling?

Swelling happens because your immune system is fighting infection. White blood cells rush to the area, causing inflammation. Fluid can also accumulate in the tissues.

With cellulitis, swelling is often:

• One-sided (affecting only one leg)
• Accompanied by redness and warmth
• Painful to the touch

Swelling without redness or pain may suggest a different cause, such as poor circulation or a blood clot. That's why medical evaluation is important—leg swelling has many possible causes.

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How Serious Is Cellulitis?

Most cases of cellulitis respond well to antibiotics when treated early. However, without treatment, the infection can spread deeper into the body and cause complications such as:

• Abscess formation
• Spread to the bloodstream (sepsis)
• Tissue damage
• Recurrent infections

Certain people are at higher risk of complications:

• Adults over 65
• People with diabetes
• Those with weakened immune systems
• Individuals with chronic leg swelling (lymphedema)
• People with obesity
• Those with poor circulation

The key point: Cellulitis is treatable, but timing matters.

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When to Seek Immediate Care

Call a doctor urgently or go to an emergency department if you notice:

• Rapidly spreading redness
• High fever (over 101°F / 38.3°C)
• Severe pain
• Numbness
• Blackened or blistering skin
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Red streaks spreading from the area

These could be signs of a more serious infection.

Do not wait if symptoms are worsening.

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How Is Cellulitis Diagnosed?

A doctor usually diagnoses cellulitis by examining your skin and reviewing your symptoms. In most cases, no special tests are required.

However, your provider may order:

• Blood tests (if infection seems severe)
• Ultrasound (to rule out a blood clot)
• Wound cultures (if there is drainage)

It's important to distinguish cellulitis from other conditions such as:

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Contact dermatitis
• Eczema
• Gout
• Venous stasis dermatitis

Because symptoms can overlap, professional evaluation is essential.

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Treatment for Cellulitis

1. Antibiotics

The primary treatment for cellulitis is antibiotics. Most mild cases are treated with oral antibiotics for 5–14 days.

Severe infections may require:

• IV antibiotics
• Hospital admission

It's important to:

• Take the full course, even if you feel better
• Monitor the area daily for improvement
• Contact your doctor if symptoms worsen

Improvement usually begins within 24–48 hours of starting antibiotics.

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2. Supportive Care

In addition to antibiotics, you can:

• Elevate the affected leg
• Rest as much as possible
• Apply cool compresses (if advised by your doctor)
• Stay hydrated
• Manage fever with approved medications

Avoid squeezing, massaging, or applying unapproved creams unless directed by a healthcare professional.

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Can Cellulitis Come Back?

Yes. Recurrent cellulitis is common, especially in people with:

• Chronic swelling
• Diabetes
• Skin conditions
• Fungal infections between the toes
• Poor circulation

Preventive steps include:

• Treating athlete's foot promptly
• Keeping skin moisturized
• Cleaning and covering wounds
• Wearing protective footwear
• Managing blood sugar if diabetic
• Addressing chronic swelling

If you've had cellulitis before, speak with your doctor about prevention strategies.

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What If It's Not Cellulitis?

Not all red, swollen legs are caused by cellulitis. Other possibilities include:

• Blood clots (DVT)
• Allergic reactions
• Inflammatory conditions
• Heart failure-related swelling
• Chronic venous insufficiency

Because these conditions require different treatments, guessing is not safe. Getting an accurate diagnosis protects your health.

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Should You Do a Symptom Check?

If you're experiencing red, swollen skin and want to better understand your symptoms before seeing a doctor, consider using a free Cellulitis / Erysipelas symptom checker to evaluate whether your symptoms align with this bacterial infection.

A structured symptom check can help you:

• Understand whether your symptoms match common cellulitis patterns
• Learn about possible next steps
• Decide how urgently to seek care

This does not replace medical evaluation, but it can be a helpful starting point.

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How Quickly Should You Act?

If you suspect cellulitis, don't wait several days to "see if it goes away."

Seek medical advice:

• The same day if redness is spreading
• Within 24 hours if symptoms are mild but persistent
• Immediately if you have fever or severe pain

Early treatment prevents complications and often leads to faster recovery.

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The Bottom Line

A red, swollen, painful leg is not something to ignore. Cellulitis is a common and treatable bacterial infection, but it can become serious if left untreated.

Key takeaways:

• Cellulitis causes redness, swelling, warmth, and pain.
• It usually affects one leg.
• Antibiotics are the standard treatment.
• Early care greatly reduces risks.
• Fever or rapidly spreading redness requires urgent attention.

If you are experiencing symptoms that could be life threatening or serious, speak to a doctor immediately. Your health and safety come first.

Prompt evaluation, proper treatment, and simple preventive steps can make a significant difference—and most people recover fully with timely care.