Ways To Treat Cellulitis

Elevate Affected Area

In cases where inflammation is present, patients are often told to ensure they elevate the affected area. There are two major reasons why this is beneficial to reduce swelling and inflammation that may occur with cellulitis. Elevating the injured area above your heart slows down the amount of blood flow to the area, reducing the amount of fluid that can build up. It also helps to allow any fluid that has already collected to drain away from the injured site.

When you use elevation as a course of treatment for cellulitis, try to keep the affected area raised higher than your heart for the best results. If there is some reason you are not able to raise the area above the heart, at least try to be on the same level or close to it.

Oral Antibiotics

Oral antibiotics are typically the first course of treatment when it comes to cellulitis. Without antibiotics, the infection can spread into the lymph nodes and then the bloodstream, which can be life-threatening. When you begin taking antibiotics, you should notice a definite improvement in your symptoms within three days. If you do not, notify your physician immediately. If oral antibiotics are not sufficient to treat the infection, your physician may give you an intramuscular injection of antibiotics. In very serious cases, you may have to be hospitalized to receive intravenous antibiotics to clear up an infection.