Skin Infections (Cellulitus)
Skin infections (cellulitis) are caused by bacteria. Cellulitis is the most common infection treated at Encompass Healthcare and Wound Medicine and is the most amenable infection to office-based IV antibiotic treatment. Hospitalization should be reserved only for non-ambulatory patients or lack of access to a center such as Encompass Healthcare. This is why we are open 7 days a week.
Cellulitis
At the onset, the skin appears red and swollen and may feel hot and tender to the touch. This process may begin with a chill or fever while the redness, heat, and swelling advance over 24-72 hours.
​Normally, your skin protects you from bacteria. But if you have a cut, sore or other breaks in the skin, bacteria can get in and spread to deeper tissues. The skin on the lower legs is most commonly affected by cellulitis, but it can occur anywhere on your body or face. We usually treat skin infections with IV antibiotics in our outpatient IV center. Here, patients are infused with the correct antibiotic to kill the bacteria that is causing the problem. We offer the convenience of receiving treatment and going back home or back to work the same day.