Adult Cellulitis Treatment (Skin Infection)
Fast MD-only cellulitis care for adults in Georgia by secure online video visit, $49 flat-fee, no insurance required.
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that causes redness, warmth, swelling, and tenderness, most often on the legs or arms. Many mild cases can be treated safely with oral antibiotics, but serious infections can spread quickly and require in-person care. TeleDirectMD MDs use a structured evaluation by video to confirm a low-risk pattern, rule out abscess or dangerous infections, and prescribe appropriate antibiotics when safe for adults located in Georgia.
- $49 flat-fee visit, no hidden costs
- MD-only care, no mid-level providers
- No insurance required or accepted
- Available for adults in Georgia (and 25+ states)
- Secure, encrypted video visits from home
Online Cellulitis Care by Georgia-Licensed MDs
- Typical visit length: 10–15 minutes
- Best for mild, localized skin infections
- Clear screening for abscess and red flags
- Guideline-based antibiotic selection
For adults only (18+). You must be physically located in Georgia at the time of your video visit. We do not prescribe controlled substances or chronic pain medications.
What Is Cellulitis?
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the deeper layers of skin. It often starts after a small break in the skin such as a cut, scrape, shaving irritation, athlete’s foot, insect bite, or dry cracked skin. Common signs include redness that expands, warmth, swelling, and tenderness.
Many mild cases can be treated with oral antibiotics. Some situations are not safe for telehealth, including rapidly spreading infection, fever, immune suppression, infection on the face near the eye, or concern for an abscess that needs drainage. TeleDirectMD screens carefully for these conditions before prescribing.
Common Cellulitis Symptoms and Red Flags
During your visit, the MD will review onset, progression, pain severity, drainage, fever, medical history, and the location of the infection. Photos may be helpful, but red flags always require in-person evaluation.
| Symptom | What It Suggests | Telehealth appropriate? | Red flag requiring urgent in-person care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Localized redness, warmth, tenderness | Mild cellulitis | Often yes, if small area and stable vitals | Rapid expansion over hours or severe pain out of proportion |
| Fever ≥ 100.4°F (38.0°C), chills, feeling very ill | Systemic infection | No | Urgent care or ER evaluation recommended |
| Pus, fluctuance, boil, or focal pocket of fluid | Abscess | Often no | Needs in-person exam and possible drainage |
| Red streaking up the limb | Lymphangitis, spreading infection | No | Urgent in-person evaluation recommended |
| Infection near the eye or on the face | Higher risk of complications | No | Same-day urgent evaluation recommended |
| Severe swelling of the whole limb | Extensive infection or alternative diagnosis | No | Urgent evaluation, consider DVT or serious infection |
| Diabetes, vascular disease, or severe immunosuppression | Higher risk course | Often no | In-person evaluation recommended |
| Numbness, black discoloration, blistering, or skin necrosis | Dangerous infection risk | No | ER evaluation recommended |
| Infection after an animal or human bite | Different bacteria and higher risk | Often no for initial evaluation | Urgent in-person evaluation recommended |
| Worsening despite antibiotics | Resistance, abscess, or wrong diagnosis | No | In-person evaluation recommended |
Conditions That Can Mimic Cellulitis
Not all redness and swelling is bacterial infection. TeleDirectMD screens for common alternatives because treatment differs.
- Abscess: Localized pocket of pus that often needs drainage.
- Contact dermatitis: Itchy rash after exposure to an irritant or allergen.
- Venous stasis dermatitis: Chronic leg swelling with redness and skin changes.
- Deep vein thrombosis: Painful unilateral leg swelling that requires urgent evaluation.
- Gout flare: Hot, swollen joint that can mimic infection.
- Shingles: Painful rash with blisters in a band-like pattern.
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate vs. When to Go In-Person
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate
- Adult 18+ with a small, localized area of redness and tenderness
- No fever, chills, or severe systemic symptoms
- No black discoloration, blistering, or severe pain out of proportion
- No concern for abscess or rapidly spreading infection
- No infection on the face near the eye or on the genitals
- No severe immunosuppression or uncontrolled diabetes
- Able to take oral medications and keep fluids down
- Physically located in Georgia at the time of the video visit
Red Flags Requiring In-Person or ER Care
- Fever ≥ 100.4°F, chills, or feeling very ill
- Rapidly spreading redness, red streaking, or severe worsening pain
- Pus, boil, fluctuance, or suspected abscess
- Numbness, black skin, blistering, or signs of tissue damage
- Infection near the eye, face swelling, or severe headache
- Diabetes or immunosuppression with moderate to severe symptoms
- Large area of swelling or concern for DVT
Treatment Options for Adult Cellulitis
Mild cellulitis is usually treated with oral antibiotics that target common skin bacteria. TeleDirectMD uses antibiotic stewardship principles by selecting narrow, evidence-based options when appropriate and directing higher-risk situations to in-person care.
Supportive Care
- Rest the affected area and elevate when possible to reduce swelling
- Mark the edge of redness with a pen to track spread over time
- Keep skin clean and dry, cover any open area with a clean dressing
- Acetaminophen or ibuprofen for discomfort (if safe for you)
Evidence-Based Antibiotic Options (Example Regimens)
The exact antibiotic depends on allergy history, kidney function, severity, and whether there is concern for MRSA or abscess. If an abscess is suspected, in-person drainage is often necessary.
| Medication | Dose | Duration | When used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cephalexin | 500 mg by mouth 4 times daily | 5 days | Mild non-purulent cellulitis when no severe beta-lactam allergy |
| Dicloxacillin | 500 mg by mouth 4 times daily | 5 days | Alternative for mild non-purulent cellulitis when appropriate |
| Clindamycin | 300 mg by mouth 4 times daily | 5 days | Penicillin allergy or selected MRSA risk scenarios when appropriate |
| Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole DS | 800 mg/160 mg by mouth 2 times daily | 5 days | Purulent infection or MRSA concern, typically with in-person evaluation when abscess possible |
| Doxycycline | 100 mg by mouth 2 times daily | 5 days | Selected MRSA concern scenarios when appropriate |
TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances. If your presentation suggests abscess, a rapidly progressive infection, infection near the eye, or any systemic illness, we will direct you to urgent in-person care rather than treating by telehealth.
Home Care, Recovery, and Return to Work
Many adults start to feel improvement within 24–48 hours after starting the right antibiotic. Some redness can persist longer as inflammation resolves. Worsening symptoms or new fever should prompt urgent evaluation.
- Take your antibiotic exactly as prescribed and finish the full course.
- Elevate the affected area and avoid friction or tight clothing over the infection.
- Check the area 2 times daily for spread or new drainage.
- Seek care if redness expands beyond the marked border, pain worsens, or fever develops.
Many people can continue working if they feel well and have no fever or significant pain, depending on job duties and the location of infection. TeleDirectMD can provide a brief work note when medically appropriate as part of your $49 visit.
Seek urgent evaluation for fever, rapidly spreading redness, red streaking, severe pain, numbness, black skin, blistering, or if you are not improving within 48–72 hours.
What to Expect From Your TeleDirectMD Visit
TeleDirectMD provides adult-only, MD-only virtual urgent care by secure video. Visits last about 10–15 minutes and cost $49 as a flat cash fee with no insurance involvement. During your cellulitis visit, the MD will review your symptoms, medical history, medications, and red flags to decide whether telehealth treatment is safe.
If your symptoms fit a mild, localized cellulitis pattern and no red flags are present, we can send an electronic prescription to your preferred local pharmacy in Georgia when appropriate. If you need in-person evaluation, drainage, labs, or imaging instead, we will explain why and guide you on the safest next step.
We do not prescribe controlled substances or manage severe infections by telehealth.
Cellulitis Treatment FAQ
Can cellulitis be treated safely online?
Sometimes. Mild, localized cellulitis without fever or severe symptoms can often be treated with oral antibiotics. TeleDirectMD screens for red flags like rapidly spreading infection, abscess, severe pain, and immune suppression that require in-person care.
How do you tell cellulitis from an abscess?
Cellulitis is usually diffuse redness and warmth without a focal pocket of pus. An abscess often feels like a tender lump or fluid pocket and may drain pus. Abscesses often require in-person drainage, so TeleDirectMD may direct you to urgent care when an abscess is suspected.
How quickly should antibiotics start working?
Many adults notice improvement in pain and spread within 24–48 hours. Some redness can linger longer. If you worsen, develop fever, or are not improving within 48–72 hours, you should be evaluated in person.
Which antibiotics do you commonly use for cellulitis?
TeleDirectMD commonly uses narrow, evidence-based options such as cephalexin for mild non-purulent cellulitis when appropriate. If there is concern for MRSA or allergy constraints, other options may be considered. The MD will tailor therapy to your history and presentation.
Should I mark the skin to track spread?
Yes. Marking the edge of redness can help you and the MD assess whether the area is improving or spreading over time. Check the area 2 times daily.
When is cellulitis an emergency?
Seek urgent evaluation for fever, rapidly spreading redness, red streaking, severe pain, numbness, black skin, blistering, confusion, low blood pressure, infection near the eye, or if you have diabetes or immune suppression with significant symptoms.
Can I work while being treated for cellulitis?
Many adults can work if they feel well and have no fever or significant pain, depending on job duties and the infection location. TeleDirectMD can provide a brief work note when medically appropriate as part of the visit.
Do I need to go to urgent care if I have pus?
Pus, a boil, or a focal fluid pocket can indicate an abscess that may need drainage. In many cases, an in-person exam is needed to decide on drainage and to guide antibiotic choice.
What if I have diabetes?
Diabetes can increase the risk of complications and more serious infection. If symptoms are moderate to severe, spreading quickly, or associated with fever, urgent in-person evaluation is recommended. TeleDirectMD can help screen by video and guide the safest next step.
Which states do you serve for online cellulitis care?
TeleDirectMD currently serves adults located in Georgia and in more than 25 additional states. During booking, you will confirm that you are physically located in a licensed state at the time of your visit.