Service
Cellulitis and skin infections: home wound care
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and the tissue just beneath it. It is usually treated with antibiotics, and a wound care nurse at home checks that the infection is improving and cares for any wound that let it in.
What it is
Cellulitis often shows up as an area that is red, warm, swollen and tender, sometimes with fever or chills. It frequently starts around a break in the skin — a cut, a scratch, an ulcer or a surgical incision.
Antibiotics do the main work. Our role is to check the treated area regularly, look after the skin and any open wound, and tell your physician right away if the redness is spreading or you are feeling worse.
Who this is for
- Adults sent home on antibiotics for cellulitis who need their progress checked
- People whose wound keeps getting infected
- Anyone with swelling in the legs or arms from lymphedema, venous disease or past surgery
- Patients with diabetes or a weakened immune system, who need closer watching
What a visit looks like
- Mark and measureWe note the edges of the redness and measure the area so change is easy to see at the next visit.
- Skin and wound careAny open wound is cleaned and dressed, and dry or fragile skin is protected.
- Medication reviewWe check that you are getting your antibiotic as prescribed and ask about side effects.
- Signs to escalateWe explain exactly which changes mean you should call us, your doctor or 911.
- Report to your doctorYour physician gets a clear note on whether the infection is improving or worsening.
Questions about cellulitis
Does cellulitis care at home need a doctor's order?
Clinically reviewed by [ADD REVIEWER NAME + CREDENTIALS, e.g. J. Smith, RN, BSN] on [ADD REVIEW DATE]
Where we provide this care
This service is available across our three-county service area in Northwest Florida.
Other wound care services
Many patients need more than one type of wound care. These are the other wounds we treat at home.
- Diabetic ulcersDiabetic foot ulcers are open sores that can form on the feet of people with diabetes.
- Pressure injuriesA pressure injury (also called a pressure ulcer, pressure sore or bedsore) is damage to skin and tissue caused by staying in one position too long.
- Surgical woundsAfter surgery, some incisions need skilled dressing changes and watching for infection.
- Skin tearsA skin tear is a wound where fragile, thin skin has been torn — often from a bump, a bandage or a gentle pull.
- Trauma woundsTrauma wounds are injuries from a fall, a cut, a bump or a crash.
- Arterial ulcersArterial ulcers are wounds caused by poor blood flow to the legs or feet.
Ready to start? Call us or send a referral.
We answer questions about coverage and physician orders before you commit to anything.
- Phone
- 850-940-4325
- Fax referrals
- 833-636-4600
- Office hours
- Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Leave a message after hours and we will call you back.
