Cellulitis can cause tenderness, pain, swelling, and redness at the site of the infection. Fever and chills are also common. Cellulitis can occur anywhere on the body. In adults, it often occurs on the legs, face, or arms. In children, it commonly develops on the face or around the anus. Facial infection requires immediate medical attention; antibiotics can help prevent a potentially dangerous eye infection.

Cellulitis is a painful inflammatory process that spreads through the connective tissue and is characterized by swelling and edema. It is usually associated with a bacterial infection.

Although cellulitis is not contagious, the same bacteria (e.g. staph and strep) causing the infection can spread from the direct contact of an open sore. Acquiring these bacteria puts you at a greater risk for developing cellulitis, but does not necessarily mean that cellulitis will result. However, you can develop other minor skin infections by the transmission of these bacteria.

Cellulitis is caused by bacteria (usually Streptococcus or Staphylococcus). Some people are at risk for infection by other types of bacteria that result in cellulitis. At-risk groups include people with impaired immune systems and people who handle fish, meat, poultry, or soil without using gloves.

Complications such as bacteremia (presence of bacteria in the blood) or sepsis (body's response to widespread infection) can develop if the bacteria that cause cellulitis spread quickly through the body. Facial cellulitis infection can spread to the brain (meningitis). Other complications, such as thrombophlebitis or, rarely, gangrene, can also develop.

Antibiotics are the main treatment for cellulitis and are usually successful in curing the infection. Antibiotics can be taken either by mouth or intravenously (IV). If you have certain medical conditions that increase your risk of getting cellulitis, you can take antibiotics after a skin injury to help prevent the infection.

If you have stress incontinence, you may leak a small to medium amount of urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, exercise, or do similar things. If you have urge incontinence, you may feel a sudden urge to urinate and the need to urinate often. With this type of bladder control problem, you may leak a larger amount of urine that can soak your clothes or run down your legs.