Online Cellulitis Treatment in Texas for Adults (Cellulitis)
MD-only cellulitis evaluation by secure video visit for adults in Texas, $49 flat-fee, no insurance required.
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can cause spreading redness, warmth, swelling, and tenderness, often after a small break in the skin. TeleDirectMD can evaluate stable adults in Texas for mild cellulitis that is appropriate for telehealth and prescribe evidence-based antibiotics when needed, with clear screening for serious infection red flags.
- $49 flat-fee visit
- MD-only evaluation and prescribing
- Guideline-based antibiotic selection when appropriate
- Clear screening for abscess and serious infection red flags
- Adults only, you must be in Texas at the time of the visit
Last reviewed by Parth Bhavsar, MD on 12/24/25.
Clinician note: Cellulitis can worsen quickly. If redness is rapidly spreading, you have fever, severe pain out of proportion, numbness, black or purple skin changes, or you feel very ill, urgent in-person evaluation is recommended.
Common Triggers
- Cut, scrape, or insect bite
- Athlete’s foot or cracked skin between toes
- Shaving nicks or skin irritation
- Chronic swelling of legs
Pus collection or severe pain can indicate abscess or deeper infection. Seek urgent care.
Quick Answers
- Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that usually needs antibiotics
- Telehealth works best for mild, localized redness without severe illness
- Abscess often requires drainage, not just antibiotics
- Rapid spread, fever, severe pain, or black or purple skin changes require urgent care
- You must be physically located in Texas at the time of the visit
What Is Cellulitis?
Cellulitis is an infection of the deeper layers of skin, most commonly caused by bacteria entering through a small break in the skin. It typically presents as an area of spreading redness, warmth, swelling, and tenderness. Some cases are mild and can be treated with oral antibiotics, while more severe cases require in-person evaluation and sometimes IV antibiotics.
TeleDirectMD focuses on triage and safe treatment selection. We assess the location, size, progression, fever and systemic symptoms, abscess signs, immune status, and risk factors like diabetes or chronic swelling.
Cellulitis Symptoms and Red Flags
Telehealth works best for mild, localized infection without severe systemic symptoms. This table highlights when video care is appropriate and when urgent in-person evaluation may be safer.
| Finding | What it suggests | Telehealth appropriate? | Red flag requiring urgent in-person care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Localized redness, warmth, tenderness | Mild cellulitis | Often yes | Rapidly spreading redness over hours |
| Fever or chills | More significant infection | Sometimes for triage | High fever, confusion, fainting, severe weakness |
| Pus, fluctuance, or central soft pocket | Abscess possible | Usually no | Needs drainage or worsening despite antibiotics |
| Red streaking toward the body | Lymphangitis | Sometimes for triage | Rapid spread or systemic symptoms |
| Severe pain out of proportion, numbness, black or purple skin | Deeper infection concern | No | Emergency evaluation recommended |
What Else Can Look Like Cellulitis?
- Contact dermatitis: itchy rash after exposure to a new product or plant, often not warm or tender.
- Venous stasis dermatitis: chronic lower-leg redness with swelling and skin changes, often bilateral.
- Deep vein thrombosis: unilateral swelling and pain, needs urgent evaluation.
- Abscess: localized pus pocket that often needs drainage.
- Gout: hot, swollen joint with sudden pain can mimic infection.
When a Texas Video Visit Is Appropriate vs. When to Go In-Person
When a Video Visit Is Appropriate
- Adult 18+ located in Texas at the time of the visit
- Mild localized redness and tenderness
- No fever or only low-grade symptoms without severe illness
- No abscess signs like fluctuance or pus pocket
- Able to monitor at home and follow up if worsening
Red Flags Requiring In-Person or ER Care
- Rapid spread, high fever, confusion, or severe weakness
- Severe pain out of proportion, numbness, black or purple skin changes
- Abscess signs, pus, or worsening swelling
- Infection on the face near the eye, genital area, or severe hand infection
- Immune suppression or uncontrolled diabetes with worsening infection
Cellulitis Treatment Options
Treatment depends on severity, location, and whether there is concern for abscess or MRSA. Many mild cases can be treated with oral antibiotics and close monitoring. If an abscess is present, drainage is often required. TeleDirectMD selects evidence-based antibiotics when appropriate and provides clear return precautions.
Supportive Care
- Mark the border of redness with a pen to track spread
- Elevate the affected limb to reduce swelling
- Keep the area clean and dry
- Monitor temperature and symptoms 2 times daily
Medication Table
| Medication | Dose | Duration | When used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cephalexin | 500 mg by mouth QID | 5 days to 7 days | Mild non-purulent cellulitis when appropriate |
| Dicloxacillin | 500 mg by mouth QID | 5 days to 7 days | Alternative for non-purulent cellulitis when appropriate |
| Doxycycline | 100 mg by mouth BID | 5 days to 7 days | When MRSA coverage is needed in selected cases, often paired with beta-lactam for strep coverage |
| Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole DS | 160 mg / 800 mg by mouth BID | 5 days to 7 days | Selected MRSA-risk cases when appropriate, strep coverage considerations apply |
| Acetaminophen | 650 mg by mouth every 6 hours as needed | As needed | Pain and fever support |
TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances. If you have a pus pocket, rapidly worsening symptoms, or red flags, urgent in-person evaluation is recommended because drainage or IV therapy may be needed.
Home Care and What to Expect
With appropriate antibiotics, mild cellulitis often starts improving within 24 hours to 48 hours. Redness may look worse initially before improving. If the area is spreading beyond the marked border, pain is worsening, fever develops, or you feel ill, seek urgent in-person care.
- Recheck the border of redness after 24 hours and 48 hours
- Elevate the limb and avoid friction on the affected area
- Seek urgent care if redness spreads quickly, fever occurs, or severe pain develops
- Follow up if not improving within 48 hours
What to Expect From Your TeleDirectMD Cellulitis Visit in Texas
TeleDirectMD provides adult-only, MD-only virtual care by secure video. Visits are $49 as a flat cash fee with no insurance required. If cellulitis is appropriate for telehealth, prescriptions can be sent electronically to your preferred pharmacy in Texas and you will receive clear monitoring instructions.
Adults only. You must be physically located in Texas at the time of your visit.
Texas Cellulitis Telehealth FAQ
Can TeleDirectMD treat cellulitis online in Texas?
Yes. TeleDirectMD provides MD-only video visits for adults in Texas and can treat mild cellulitis when appropriate, with clear screening for abscess and serious infection red flags.
How can I tell if I have an abscess?
An abscess often feels like a soft, fluctuant pocket under the skin and may have pus drainage. Abscesses frequently require drainage and are not always treatable with antibiotics alone.
How quickly should cellulitis improve after antibiotics?
Many mild cases start improving within 24 hours to 48 hours. If redness is spreading beyond the marked border, fever develops, or you feel worse, seek urgent evaluation.
Do I need MRSA coverage for cellulitis?
Not always. MRSA coverage is considered when there is pus, abscess, recurrent infections, or other risk factors. Your MD will choose an antibiotic plan based on your presentation.
What home care helps cellulitis heal?
Elevating the limb, marking the border of redness, keeping the area clean, and monitoring for spread or fever are helpful. Avoid friction and scratching.
When should I go to urgent care or the ER?
Seek urgent care for rapid spread, high fever, severe pain out of proportion, numbness, black or purple skin changes, confusion, fainting, or suspected abscess.
Can cellulitis come back?
Yes. Recurrence is more likely with chronic leg swelling, athlete’s foot, skin breaks, or poor circulation. Addressing triggers reduces future risk.
Do you prescribe controlled substances for cellulitis pain?
No. TeleDirectMD does not prescribe controlled substances.
Can you provide a work note?
TeleDirectMD can usually provide a brief work note when medically appropriate as part of the $49 visit. We do not complete long-term disability, FMLA, or accommodation paperwork.
Is TeleDirectMD available across Texas?
Yes. As long as you are physically located in Texas at the time of the video visit, you can be evaluated.