Cellulitis - Complications of cellulitis

Complications of cellulitis can include blood poisoning, abscesses, necrotising fasciitis and meningitis.

Blood poisoning (septicaemia)

If the bacteria infecting your skin and tissue enter your bloodstream, it can lead to blood poisoning (septicaemia). Symptoms of blood poisoning include:

high temperature (fever) of 38C (100.4F) or above
rapid heartbeat
rapid breathing
feeling dizzy or faint
changes in mental behaviour, such as confusion or disorientation
diarrhoea
reduced urine flow
cold, clammy skin
pale skin
loss of consciousness

If you have any of these symptoms, call 999 for an ambulance.

Read more information about blood poisoning.

Abscess

Some cases of cellulitis can result in an abscess forming near the site of the infection.

An abscess is a swollen, pus-filled lump under the surface of the skin. It is caused by a build up of bacteria and dead white blood cells.

In some cases, the antibiotics used to treat cellulitis may also help to remove the abscess. But if not, the pus will have to be drained from the abscess through a small cut in your skin.

See abscess for more information.

Necrotising fasciitis

Necrotising fasciitis is a rare but serious bacterial infection of the deep layer of skin. This causes the affected tissue to die (gangrene).

Symptoms develop rapidly and include very severe pain, fever, diarrhoea, vomiting and unconsciousness.

Treatment includes surgery to remove the affected tissue and antibiotics.

There are around 500 cases of necrotising fasciitis in the UK every year.

Facial cellulitis and meningitis

Facial cellulitis is an uncommon form of cellulitis that develops on the skin of the face. It accounts for an estimated 8.5% of all cases of cellulitis.

Facial cellulitis is most common in children under three years old and older adults above 50. If facial cellulitis is left untreated in children, the bacteria can potentially spread to the outer membranes of their brain (the meninges) and trigger a serious brain infection called meningitis.

Symptoms of meningitis can differ in adults, but symptoms in babies and children under three years old include:

becoming floppy and unresponsive, or stiff with jerky movements
becoming irritable and not wanting to be held
unusual crying
vomiting and refusing feeds
pale and blotchy skin
loss of appetite
staring expression
very sleepy and reluctant to wake up

Bacterial meningitis is serious and should be treated as a medical emergency. If left untreated, a bacterial infection can cause severe brain damage and infect the blood.

If you suspect your child has symptoms of meningitis, call 999 immediately for an ambulance.

The best way to protect your child against meningitis is to make sure they have been vaccinated with the:

DTaP/IPV/Hib (5-in-1) vaccination, which should be given between the ages of two and four months
the Hib/MenC booster, which should be given after the child’s first birthday

The vaccine and the booster provide immunity against two leading causes of meningitis in children:

haemophilus influenzae type b bacteria
group C meningococcal bacteria

Ask your GP if you're unsure whether your child’s vaccinations are up to date.

Read about meningitis and see the vaccination planner for more information.

Abscess: An abscess is a lump containing pus, which is made by the body during infection.
Antibiotics: Antibiotics are medicines that can be used to treat infections caused by micro-organisms, usually bacteria or fungi. For example amoxicillin, streptomycin and erythromycin.
Heart valves: Heart valves are four sets of flaps that control the direction that blood pumps around the heart.
Vein: Veins are blood vessels that carry blood from the rest of the body back to the heart.