Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the skin. It starts with a break in the skin and spreads into the layers of connective tissue beneath the skin and even the lymph nodes if left untreated. Treatment usually consists of bandaging and a prescribed antibiotic regimen.

Cellulitis is a common bacterial infection in the deepest layer of the skin, according to MayoClinic.com. It’s usually caused when bacteria get into an injury in the skin. It is treatable with antibiotics, but in some cases the infection can spread rapidly through the body and may endanger the patient’s life.

You can find a variety of different forms of bacteria living on the human skin. The most common bacterial causes of cellulitis are staphylococcus and streptococcus. Symptoms include a red, swollen, painful spreading rash and an infection that may result in chills, a fever and general fatigue.

Cellulitis is a type of skin infection most commonly caused by staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria, according to medical professionals with MedlinePlus. People with cellulitis can develop symptoms such as skin inflammation or discoloration, pain, fever, fatigue, or muscle aches.