Cellulitis

Q:  I would like information about cellulitis of the skin. My son's leg swells and the affected area becomes hot, tender, red, and very sore about every 6 months and then he is treated with antibiotics. I think that is too much antibiotics; is there any other treatment? The first time he had it he was in the hospital with a high fever and put on IV's.

A:  Any break in the skin can allow bacteria to enter and cause the skin there tends to be drier, with cracks or cuts, or there is swelling of the feet and ankles. People prone to cellulitis often have diabetes or other diseases that weaken their immune system.

Strep and staph are the types of bacteria usually involved, and treatment with antibiotics is necessary when the patient has fever and chills because the infection can spread from the skin into the blood stream. If caught early, antibiotics can be taken orally and hospitalization is rarely required.

"Dear Doctor" is a compilation of patient questions answered by doctors from the Medical College of Wisconsin.