How to prepare for a video visit about Cellulitis (Mild) - Triage

Audience: adult

Cellulitis is a common skin infection that causes redness, swelling, and pain. Mild cellulitis often affects the skin's surface and can sometimes be managed with early care. Preparing well for a video visit can help your healthcare provider understand your symptoms and guide you on the next steps. During the visit, you may be asked to show the affected skin area clearly and describe any symptoms like fever or pain. Telemedicine can help assess mild cellulitis and suggest treatments or when to seek in-person care. However, some signs require urgent medical attention and cannot be fully managed online. This guide helps you get ready for your video visit, know what telemedicine can and cannot do for cellulitis, and understand important warning signs to watch for.

Red flags — go in person / ER

• Rapidly spreading redness or swelling around the affected area — seek emergency care immediately.
• High fever (above 38°C or 100.4°F) or chills accompanying skin symptoms — get urgent medical attention.
• Severe pain, numbness, or difficulty moving the affected limb — go to the emergency room promptly.

What telemedicine can do

• Assessment of mild cellulitis symptoms through visual examination.
• Providing guidance on home care and symptom monitoring.
• Prescribing oral antibiotics if appropriate and safe.
• Advising when to seek in-person or emergency care.

What telemedicine cannot do

• Performing physical examinations that require touch or palpation.
• Administering intravenous antibiotics or other in-person treatments.
• Managing severe or rapidly worsening cellulitis cases.
• Providing emergency care for complications like sepsis or abscesses.

What is Mild Cellulitis?

Mild cellulitis is a skin infection that causes redness, swelling, warmth, and tenderness. It usually affects the lower legs but can happen anywhere on the body. The infection happens when bacteria enter through a break in the skin. Early treatment often helps prevent the infection from getting worse.

How Telemedicine Can Help

A video visit allows your healthcare provider to see the affected skin area and ask about your symptoms. They can often guide you on home care, prescribe oral antibiotics if needed, and advise when to seek in-person care. Telemedicine is convenient and helps you get advice without leaving home.

What Telemedicine Cannot Do for Cellulitis

Telemedicine cannot perform physical exams like checking your pulse or feeling the skin deeply. It cannot provide intravenous antibiotics or emergency care. If your cellulitis worsens or you have serious symptoms, you will need to see a healthcare provider in person.

Preparing for Your Video Visit

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Red Flags: When to Seek Immediate Care

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If you notice any of these, seek emergency care immediately.

After Your Telemedicine Visit

Follow the treatment plan your provider gives. This may include taking prescribed antibiotics, resting, elevating the affected area, and keeping the skin clean. Watch for any worsening symptoms or new red flags. Schedule a follow-up visit if advised.

How to prepare for your tele-visit

• Choose a quiet, well-lit area for your video visit.
• Ensure your device camera and microphone work properly.
• Have the affected skin area uncovered and visible on camera.
• Prepare to describe your symptoms clearly, including when they started.
• List all current medications and any allergies.
• Have a family member or friend available to assist if needed.
• Keep a thermometer handy to check your temperature if possible.

After your tele-visit

• Take prescribed medications exactly as directed.
• Keep the affected area clean and elevated if possible.
• Monitor symptoms daily for any changes or worsening.
• Contact your healthcare provider if new symptoms or red flags appear.
• Attend any recommended follow-up appointments.
• Avoid scratching or irritating the infected skin area.

FAQs

Can mild cellulitis be treated through a video visit?

Yes, mild cellulitis can often be evaluated through a video visit. Your healthcare provider can assess the skin appearance, ask about symptoms, and may prescribe oral antibiotics if appropriate. However, some cases require in-person evaluation.

What should I do if my cellulitis symptoms get worse after the video visit?

If your symptoms worsen, such as increased redness, swelling, pain, fever, or new symptoms like numbness, seek in-person medical care promptly. Telemedicine providers will advise you when to get urgent care.

How can I prepare my skin for the video visit?

Make sure the affected area is clean and uncovered so the provider can see it clearly. Good lighting helps. Avoid covering the area with clothing or bandages during the video call.

Are there any risks in treating cellulitis without a physical exam?

Telemedicine can be effective for mild cases, but it may miss signs that require hands-on examination. If your provider suspects a more serious infection, they will recommend an in-person visit to ensure safe and effective treatment.

Can I use home remedies instead of antibiotics for cellulitis?

Home remedies are not a substitute for medical treatment. Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that often requires antibiotics. Using only home remedies may allow the infection to worsen or spread.

Sources

1. Cellulitis — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
2. Skin and Soft Tissue Infections — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
3. Cellulitis: Symptoms and Causes — Mayo Clinic.
4. Cellulitis Treatment and Management — Merck Manuals Consumer Version.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care. Telemedicine guidance cannot replace an in-person examination when needed. If you have severe symptoms or concerns, seek immediate medical attention.