Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the deepest layer of your skin. Bacteria can enter your body through a break in the skin - from a cut, scratch, or bite. Usually if your skin gets infected, it's just the top layer and it goes away on its own with proper care. But with cellulitis, the deep skin tissues in the infected area become red, hot, irritated and painful. Cellulitis is most common on the face and lower legs.

You may have cellulitis if you notice

• Area of skin redness or swelling that gets larger
• Tight, glossy look to skin
• Pain or tenderness
• Skin rash that happens suddenly and grows quickly
• Signs of infection including fever, chills and muscle aches

Cellulitis can be serious, and possibly even deadly, so prompt treatment is important. The goal of treatment is to control infection and prevent related problems. Treatment usually includes antibiotics.