Prevention

A person cannot always prevent cellulitis from developing, but there are some ways to reduce the risk.

Treat cuts and grazes: Keep any cut, bite, graze, or wound — including those from a recent surgery — clean to reduce the risk of infection.

Practice thorough hygiene: Wash hands often, shower regularly, and wear clean clothes to decrease the skin’s contact with bacteria.

Avoid scratching: If an insect bite, for example, is itchy, ask a pharmacist about how to reduce this feeling. When scratching is unavoidable, keeping the fingernails clean and short can help prevent infection.

Take care of the skin: Moisturizers can help prevent dry skin from cracking, but they will not help if an infection is already present.

Protect the skin: Wear gloves and long sleeves while gardening, and avoid wearing shorts if there is a likelihood of grazing the skin. Covering up can also help prevent insect bites.

Maintain a weight that is healthy for the individual: Having obesity may raise the risk of developing cellulitis.

Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption: These may also increase the risk of developing cellulitis.

Seek help for other medical conditions: Because people with certain health issues may be at a higher risk of infection, they should work with their doctor to help manage their condition.

Manage diabetes: Exercise regularly, take medications as prescribed, and limit consumption of processed foods and added sugar to maintain safe blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of infection.