What you may notice
Symptoms can overlap with other conditions and vary between people.
- Painful skin swelling
- Pus or drainage
- Fever
- Symptoms depend on the infected site
Understanding care
Clinical care may include assessment of the infection site and laboratory-guided treatment when needed. A qualified clinician decides which investigations and options fit the individual situation.
When to seek help
Painful spreading skin inflammation, fever or rapidly worsening swelling needs prompt medical assessment. Confusion, collapse or breathing difficulty requires emergency services.
For severe breathing difficulty, collapse, suspected stroke, or another emergency, call local emergency services immediately. In India, call 112.
Read the medical sources
These sources support the educational article and offer more detail.
Prepared from the linked sources. This summary has not had an independent clinician review. A qualified clinician can assess symptoms and explain which information applies to you.
