Adult Cellulitis Treatment (Mild Skin Infection) in California
Fast MD-only cellulitis evaluation by secure video in California, $49 flat-fee, no insurance required.
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and the tissue just beneath it. It usually causes a spreading area of redness, warmth, swelling, and tenderness, often after a small cut, scrape, insect bite, or cracked skin. Many mild cases without systemic symptoms can be assessed by telehealth, while abscess, rapidly worsening symptoms, or severe illness require in-person care.
- $49 flat-fee visit, no hidden costs
- MD-only care, no mid-level providers
- No insurance required or accepted
- Available for adults in California (and 25+ states)
- Secure, encrypted video visits from home
Clinician note: TeleDirectMD care is MD-only and guideline-based. Your visit is reviewed by a physician (Parth Bhavsar, MD). We prescribe antibiotics only when appropriate and we clearly tell you when you need urgent in-person evaluation for drainage, imaging, or IV antibiotics.
Online Cellulitis Care by California-Licensed MDs
- Screening for abscess, deeper infection, and systemic illness
- Antibiotics when appropriate, stewardship-focused
- Clear wound care and monitoring steps
- Escalation guidance for urgent care or ER
For adults only (18+). You must be physically located in California at the time of your video visit. Rapid spread, fever, severe pain out of proportion, facial cellulitis near the eye, or immune compromise require urgent in-person evaluation.
What Is Cellulitis?
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin and underlying soft tissue, most often caused by streptococcal species or Staphylococcus aureus. It commonly begins when bacteria enter through a break in the skin, such as a cut, scrape, insect bite, shaving irritation, eczema flare, athlete’s foot, or cracked skin between the toes.
TeleDirectMD focuses on adult evaluation of mild cellulitis when it is safe to do so. During your video visit, your MD confirms the symptom pattern, screens for red flags such as fever, rapidly spreading infection, abscess, severe pain, or facial involvement, and determines whether you need in-person evaluation instead of telehealth alone. As long as you are physically located in California at the time of your visit, we can evaluate you and, when appropriate, send prescriptions to your local California pharmacy.
Typical Cellulitis Symptoms Versus Red Flags
Many mild skin infections can be treated safely, but some presentations suggest abscess, deeper infection, or systemic illness. The table below compares common patterns.
| Symptom pattern | More likely mild cellulitis | Suggests more serious infection | Red flag (seek urgent in-person care) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redness and warmth | Localized area with gradual spread over 1 to 2 days | Rapid expansion over hours | Very rapid spread with fever or severe illness |
| Swelling and tenderness | Mild to moderate swelling and soreness | Severe swelling, tight skin, worsening pain | Severe pain out of proportion to appearance |
| Drainage or pocket | No pus, no focal lump | Fluctuant lump or pus suggests abscess | Abscess may need drainage in person |
| Fever or chills | No fever | Low-grade fever | Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher with worsening symptoms |
| Location | Arm or leg, away from eye | Near a joint or on the hand | Face near the eye, genitals, or signs of eye involvement |
| Overall course | New infection in a well adult | Recurrent infections or not improving after 48 hours of antibiotics | Confusion, dizziness, fainting, or signs of sepsis |
What Else Can Look Like Cellulitis?
- Abscess: focal pocket of pus that often needs drainage in person.
- Contact dermatitis: itchy rash after exposure to an irritant or allergen.
- Insect bite reaction: swelling and redness that is more itchy than painful.
- Deep vein thrombosis: one-sided leg swelling and pain without skin break, needs urgent evaluation.
- Necrotizing soft tissue infection: severe pain out of proportion, rapid progression, systemic illness, medical emergency.
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate vs. When to Go In-Person
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate
- Adult 18+ with a localized area of redness, warmth, and tenderness
- No fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
- No rapid spread over hours
- No pus pocket, fluctuance, or drainage suggesting abscess
- No facial cellulitis near the eye
- No uncontrolled diabetes or significant immune compromise
- Physically located in California at the time of the video visit
Red Flags Requiring In-Person or ER Care
- Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, shaking chills, or feeling very ill
- Rapid progression over hours or red streaking
- Severe pain out of proportion to the skin appearance
- Abscess, pus, or a focal tender lump
- Face near the eye, eye swelling, vision symptoms, or severe headache
- One-sided leg swelling with calf pain, concern for DVT
- Confusion, dizziness, fainting, or signs of sepsis
Treatment Options for Adult Cellulitis
Treatment depends on location, severity, and whether there is concern for abscess or MRSA risk. Many mild cases can be treated with oral antibiotics plus careful monitoring. Abscesses usually require drainage in person. Your MD will also review contributing factors such as athlete’s foot, eczema, shaving irritation, or skin breakdown and recommend steps to reduce recurrence.
Supportive Care
- Mark the border of redness with a pen to monitor spread.
- Elevate the affected limb when possible to reduce swelling.
- Keep the area clean and dry, avoid picking or squeezing.
- Acetaminophen 650 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed for pain or fever if safe for you.
- Ibuprofen 400 mg by mouth every 6 to 8 hours as needed with food if safe for you.
Antibiotics When Appropriate
Antibiotics are used when the appearance and symptoms fit cellulitis and there are no signs that an abscess needs drainage or that the infection requires IV treatment. Your MD will assess severity, risk factors, and allergies, and will recommend in-person care when needed.
| Medication | Dose | Duration | When used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cephalexin | 500 mg by mouth 4 times daily | 5 days | Mild nonpurulent cellulitis in selected adults when appropriate |
| Amoxicillin and clavulanate | 875 mg/125 mg by mouth 2 times daily | 5 days | Selected cases when bite or polymicrobial concern is present |
| Doxycycline | 100 mg by mouth 2 times daily | 5 days | MRSA coverage option in selected adults when appropriate |
| Trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole DS | 160 mg/800 mg by mouth 2 times daily | 5 days | MRSA coverage option in selected adults when appropriate |
TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances. If you have fever, rapid progression, severe pain, abscess, facial cellulitis near the eye, or worsening symptoms after 48 hours of antibiotics, seek urgent in-person evaluation.
Home Care, Monitoring, and Return to Work
Mild cellulitis should begin improving within 24 to 48 hours after starting the correct antibiotic, but redness can look slightly worse during the first day as inflammation evolves. Monitoring is essential.
- Take a photo daily in good lighting to compare.
- Mark the border of redness and check it 2 times daily.
- Keep the area elevated when possible.
- Seek urgent care for fever, rapid expansion, pus, severe pain, red streaking, or feeling very ill.
Many adults can work as tolerated if they feel well and can keep the area covered. TeleDirectMD can provide a brief work note when medically appropriate as part of your $49 visit.
What to Expect From Your TeleDirectMD Visit
TeleDirectMD provides adult-only, MD-only virtual urgent care by secure video. Visits typically last about 10 to 15 minutes and cost $49 as a flat cash fee with no insurance involvement. During your cellulitis visit, the MD will review symptoms, timing, location, possible skin breaks, fever, drainage, and red flags.
If your presentation is appropriate for telehealth, we can send an electronic prescription to your preferred local pharmacy in California when appropriate. If you need in-person evaluation for abscess drainage, imaging, IV antibiotics, or concern for deeper infection, we will explain why and guide you on the safest next step.
We do not prescribe controlled substances.
Cellulitis Treatment FAQ
Can cellulitis be treated online?
Sometimes. Mild cellulitis without fever, rapid spread, severe pain, or a pus pocket can often be assessed by telehealth. If there is concern for abscess, facial involvement near the eye, systemic illness, or rapid progression, in-person evaluation is recommended.
Can I get antibiotics today for cellulitis through telehealth?
When the presentation fits mild cellulitis and there are no red flags, TeleDirectMD may prescribe an oral antibiotic and send it electronically to your local California pharmacy. If an abscess is likely or you appear ill, in-person care is recommended because drainage, imaging, or IV antibiotics may be needed.
How do I know if I have an abscess?
Abscesses often cause a focal tender lump, swelling that feels soft, and sometimes pus drainage. Abscesses frequently require drainage in person, and antibiotics alone may not be enough.
How quickly should antibiotics help cellulitis?
Many adults notice improvement within 24 to 48 hours after starting an appropriate antibiotic. If the redness is rapidly expanding, you develop fever, or symptoms worsen after 48 hours, seek urgent in-person care.
Is cellulitis contagious?
Cellulitis itself is not usually contagious through casual contact. Good hand hygiene and keeping the area covered are important, especially if there is drainage.
When is cellulitis an emergency?
Seek urgent evaluation for fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, shaking chills, rapid progression over hours, severe pain out of proportion, confusion, dizziness, fainting, eye swelling or vision symptoms, or red streaking.
Should I outline the redness with a pen?
Yes. Marking the border helps you monitor spread. Check it 2 times daily and take a photo to compare. If the redness spreads rapidly beyond the border, seek in-person evaluation.
Do I need MRSA coverage for cellulitis?
Not always. Many cases of nonpurulent cellulitis are treated with antibiotics that target streptococcal species. MRSA coverage may be considered based on risk factors or if there is pus, abscess, or prior MRSA history.
Is TeleDirectMD available throughout California for cellulitis care?
Yes. As long as you are physically located in California at the time of your visit and can access a local pharmacy, you can use TeleDirectMD for cellulitis evaluation. This includes patients in Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento, Fresno, and rural areas statewide.
Can TeleDirectMD provide a work note?
TeleDirectMD can provide a brief work note when medically appropriate as part of your $49 visit.
What if my symptoms are not improving?
If symptoms are not improving within 48 hours, or if you develop fever, rapid spread, pus, severe pain, or feel very ill, seek in-person evaluation. You may need a different antibiotic, imaging, or drainage.