Medical Treatment

• If the infection is not too severe you can be treated at home. The doctor will give you a prescription for antibiotics to take by mouth for a week to 10 days.
  
  
• The doctor may use intravenous (IV) or intramuscular antibiotics in these situations:
  
  
  • If the infection is severe
    
    
  • If you have other medical problems
    
    
  • If you are very young or very old
    
    
  • If the cellulitis involves extensive areas or areas close to important structures; for example, infection around the eye socket
    
    
  • If the infection worsens after taking antibiotics for two to three days
  
  
• You may need hospitalization if the infection is well developed, extensive, or in an important area, like the face. In most of these cases, IV (intervenous) antibiotics need to be given until the infection is under good control (two to three days) and then you can be switched to oral medications to be taken at home.