RFSymptoms: Safety netting advice
AdultsCellulitis
DATE LAST REVIEWED: 05/11/2026
When to seek further review
- Contact the prescriber or GP if the skin infection has not started to improve within 2 to 3 days of starting antibiotics.
- Seek urgent advice sooner if redness or swelling continues to spread, pain increases, or fever develops. Do not wait until the antibiotics are finished.
- Get urgent assessment for infection near the eye or nose. If the eye is painful to move, sight changes or the eye bulges, use the emergency advice below.
- Skin colour and swelling can take longer to settle than the infection. Complete the prescribed treatment and keep any planned review.
- For an urgent problem that is not life-threatening, NHS 111 may direct you to an Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) rather than a GP appointment. UTCs can assess many minor illnesses and injuries. Services, opening hours and ages treated vary, so call NHS 111 if you are unsure where to go. Do not delay emergency help for any of the emergency signs below.
- Do not wait for the suggested review time if symptoms become worse, new symptoms appear, or you are worried.
- If you need medical advice and are unsure which service can help, call NHS 111. This includes when your GP is closed or you cannot get the help you need. NHS 111 can direct you to an appropriate local service. You can call even if you are not sure whether symptoms are serious.
When to get emergency help
(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)
- Very severe pain, particularly pain much worse than the skin looks.
- Rapidly spreading swelling with blisters, purple or black skin, or rapid deterioration.
- Eye swelling with pain on eye movement, reduced sight or the eye bulging.
- Fever or shaking chills with a fast heartbeat, fast breathing, faintness or feeling extremely unwell.
- Severe difficulty breathing, such as gasping or being unable to speak normally.
- New confusion or not making sense when speaking.
- Being very difficult to wake.
- Collapse or loss of consciousness.
- Blue, grey, unusually pale or blotchy skin or lips, especially when feeling very unwell.
How to spot sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It can get worse quickly. If someone is seriously unwell and may have sepsis, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Do not wait for every sign, a high temperature or a rash.
An unwell child under 5 who has not had a pee or wet nappy for 12 hours needs emergency assessment. If you are unsure and there are no emergency signs, call NHS 111 for advice.
Sources
- NHS - Cellulitishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cellulitis/
- NHS - When to go to an Urgent Treatment Centrehttps://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-visit-an-urgent-treatment-centre/
- NICE NG141 - Cellulitis and erysipelashttps://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng141/chapter/Recommendations
- NHS - Sepsishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/
- NHS - When to use NHS 111https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/