A doctor says watch out for a condition that can need immediate medical attention. Dr Ranj Singh said the condition "might feel flu-like", but it could also become "life-threatening" if ignored.

Cellulitis, a skin infection unrelated to cellulite, requires antibiotic treatment. The NHS warns it can turn serious without a quick intervention.

Dr Ranj, a regular on BBC Morning Live, said it can make skin painful, hot and inflamed. "It can look completely different on different types of skin. It can look red, but on darker, black and brown skin, it may look slightly discoloured. You can also get blisters."

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What are the symptoms of cellulitis?

The medic made the comments in an appearance on the show last year, but the guidance is still relevant now. He said it "can give you associated symptoms so you might feel flu-like, you can have swollen and painful glands. Occasionally, it can become life-threatening if it's spreading and getting worse, but fortunately, most people will recover."

Does cellulitis only affect the legs?

Although it's often found on legs, it can affect any part of your body. “You might get cellulitis on your hands that can cause your fingers or your hand to swell up. You can also get on your feet sometimes near your toes. It can even happen in and around the eye," he said.

Doctor Ranj warned that only one leg is usually affected, not both. "If it is both, then you sometimes need to check if anything else is going on," he said.

Can you get cellulitis in your eye?

Yes. If it develops in the eye, this constitutes a medical emergency and you should seek assistance immediately as it can be "dangerous for your vision."

The doctor said: "One of the things we look out for is that you may get redness on the whites of your eyes".

Another sign is the "eyeball sticks out". If it occurs around the eye, it's a "bit more common and less serious", the doctor said. You may be able to manage it at home, but you still need a professional to check it out to ensure it's not spread, Surrey Live reported.

Call 999

If you think you have it, you need to get treated straight away the GP warns. “If cellulitis is not treated properly, then it can get worse and sometimes get serious.”

If you cannot get a GP appointment, the doctor warns “these the reasons that I want you to call 999” if you have these with cellulitis:

A very high temperature

You feel hot and shivery

Feeling dizzy or faint

A fast heartbeat or fast breathing

Cold climate or pale skin

Unresponsiveness or loss of consciousness

Confusion or disorientation

Purple patches on your skin

These are signs of sepsis, with the doctor warning that you need to be really careful.

What causes cellulitis?

Dr Ranj noted that "most commonly it’s caused by a bacterial infection" with the bacteria finding its way into the "deep layers of the skin" usually through a cut, insect bite or if your skin is cracked from an infection or if it's dry from a conditionally eczema.

Due to this, the "barrier breaks down and it can get in", thereby causing cellulitis. If you're susceptible to these problems, you face a greater risk, with the expert stressing you might not even notice a wound in your skin.

Who is at risk of cellulitis?

Thankfully, it's not passed on from person to person. You're more at risk of cellulitis if you:

• have poor circulation in your arms, legs, hands or feet, for example, because you're overweight


• find it difficult to move around


• have a weakened immune system, for example, because of chemotherapy treatment or diabetes


• have lymphoedema, which causes fluid build-up under the skin


• inject drugs


• have a wound from surgery


• have had cellulitis before

What is the treatment for cellulitis?

The doctor explained that treatment involves antibiotics, which can take a couple of days to start working. Recovery typically takes 7-10 days.

For milder instances, this is generally sufficient. However, if the infection is serious or if you have underlying health conditions, intravenous antibiotics may be necessary, requiring hospital treatment.