Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the deeper layers of the skin and the underlying tissue. It usually affects the lower legs but may occur anywhere, including the face around the eyes. It is most commonly caused by bacteria entering the skin through a wound.
Symptoms usually appear within a few hours of infection and include redness, swelling, heat, and pain in the affected area, and sometimes fever and chills.
Untreated, the infection may spread rapidly through the body and may be life-threatening.
Treatment is with antibiotics. In severe cases, these may need to be given intravenously at a hospital.
With prompt treatment, most make a full recovery