What not to put on cellulitis?

Author: Larissa Kuhlman  |  Last update: Friday, April 11, 2025

Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the area with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.

What helps cellulitis heal faster?

Self care
  • Place a cool, damp cloth on the affected area as often as needed for your comfort.
  • Ask your health care provider to suggest a nonprescription pain medication.
  • Elevate the affected part of the body.
  • Ask your health care provider whether it might help to wear compression wraps or stockings.

What is the best ointment for cellulitis?

Cellulitis can be treated with many different topical agents including Silvadene, Bacitracin and Neosporin to sooth the burning inflamed tissue and help in healing progression. It has been my experience that Silvadene topical cream refrigerated is more soothing to cellulitis that Bacitracin or Neosporin.

What flares up cellulitis?

Risk factors for cellulitis include:
  • Cracks or peeling skin between the toes.
  • History of peripheral vascular disease.
  • Injury or trauma with a break in the skin (skin wounds)
  • Insect bites and stings, animal bites, or human bites.
  • Ulcers from certain diseases, including diabetes and vascular disease.

Should you put anything on cellulitis?

Cool, wet dressings on the infection site. Keeping the area dry and clean. Surgery. If your arm or leg is affected, elevating the arm or leg may help.

Doctor explains CELLULITIS (skin infection) | Causes, symptoms, treatment (plus photos)

Does vaseline help cellulitis?

Wash the area with clean water 2 times a day. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the area with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.

What does a bad case of cellulitis look like?

Discoloration (red, purple or slightly darker than your usual skin color) that may look like a rash. Fluid-filled blisters. Skin surface looks lumpy or pitted, like an orange skin. Fever.

What foods aggravate cellulitis?

Aim to avoid fast foods like burgers, Chinese, McDonalds and Ice Cream. But also be aware of margarine and highly processed fats and oils, BBQ sauces and other condiments high in sugar, unhealthy fats and salt. Say no to fizzy drinks, pasta, chocolate and white bread as these can make cellulite worse.

Does drinking a lot of water help with cellulitis?

Things you can do to help with cellulitis

raising the affected body part on a pillow or chair when you're sitting or lying down, to reduce swelling. regularly moving the joint near the affected body part, such as your wrist or ankle, to stop it getting stiff. drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.

Is cellulitis linked to poor hygiene?

Yes, cellulitis can be linked to poor hygiene. To prevent it from returning, people are encouraged to keep their skin clean to wash away the bacteria that causes cellulitis. Treating cuts, scrapes, and wounds immediately with soap, water, and a bandage can help reduce this risk.

What is commonly mistaken for cellulitis?

Several common conditions can mimic cellulitis, creating a potential for misdiagnosis and incorrect management. The most common disorders mistaken for lower limb cellulitis include venous eczema, lipodermatosclerosis, irritant dermatitis, and lymphedema.

Is heat or ice better for cellulitis?

The potential for decreasing bacterial counts in tissue holds promise for the use of heat therapy in skin affected by cellulitis.

When to go to the ER for cellulitis?

When to seek urgent care. If redness, swelling or pain intensify over the next 24 hours, see a health care provider immediately. “If you're 48 hours out and have increased redness, that's a huge red flag,” Jake said. Other symptoms can include blisters, bruising, headache or red streaks tracking from the wound.

Is neosporin good for cellulitis?

Then cover the wounded with an antibiotic ointment such as Neosporin or bacitracin. If you suspect that your child has cellulitis, seek treatment early. If you notice your child has red, swollen, warm, painful skin, even if you do not see a recent wound, see your health care provider that day.

What is a natural antibiotic for cellulitis?

Neem has many medicinal applications. It is one of the best treatments for bacterial infections. Enriched with antibacterial properties, it is a safe and no side effect treatment for cellulitis. This home remedy will eliminate the bacteria causing cellulitis.

Does walking help cellulitis?

What can you do to help your cellulitis heal? Try to keep your foot raised higher than your hip to reduce any swelling. It is important that you help the circulation in your leg, so where possible walk a short distance every hour. If you are unable to do this try to wriggle your ankles and toes.

Are showers good for cellulitis?

Keep the area clean and dry — It is important to keep the infected area clean and dry. You can shower or bathe normally and pat the area dry with a clean towel. You can use a bandage or gauze to protect the skin if needed. Do not use any antibiotic ointments or creams.

Why is cellulitis so hard to get rid of?

Certain medical conditions can make it harder to treat cellulitis. This can be because of decreased blood flow to the area, a weakened immune system, or another reason. Some of these conditions include: Edema: Swelling of the lower legs, called edema, can decrease blood flow to these areas.

What is an aggressive form of cellulitis?

Once cellulitis develops into sepsis or necrotizing fasciitis, the infection becomes life-threatening and requires aggressive medical intervention to stop the disease from spreading and heal the body. Don't wait to seek medical attention.

What organ does cellulitis affect?

Cellulitis is usually a superficial infection of the skin (left). But if severe (right) or if left untreated, it can spread into the lymph nodes and bloodstream.

What is the best pain relief for cellulitis?

As cellulitis can be painful, you may need pain relieving medicines such as paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). In some cases, your doctor may recommend steroids for a short time. Your doctor or nurse might draw on your skin to outline the area of the cellulitis.

What is commonly misdiagnosed as cellulitis?

Lymphoedema is a common mimic of cellulitis. The underlying pathogenesis of lymphoedema is similar to venous disease, in which there is decreased tissue oxygenation as a result of extravasated lymph. Clinical features of lymphoedema include: Long-standing non-pitting oedema with induration.

What is the strongest antibiotic for cellulitis?

The best antibiotic to treat cellulitis include dicloxacillin, cephalexin, trimethoprim with sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, or doxycycline antibiotics.

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