Top Tips for Travelling with Cellulitis

Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and tissues just underneath it. There’s a less serious version, called erysipelas, that causes some of the same symptoms – it tends to be found closer to the skin's surface than cellulitis.

Erysipelas often affects your face, whereas cellulitis is most commonly found in the legs and feet, although it can affect any part of your body. However, because it can be difficult to know how deep an infection is, erysipelas and cellulitis are mostly treated in the same way.

Can I Travel if I Have Cellulitis?

Yes. You shouldn’t have a problem taking short journeys when you have cellulitis. However, you are unlikely to travel long distances if you’re still being treated for an acute infection. And because cellulitis is caused by an infection, it can flare up from time to time. So it’s essential to have travel insurance that will cover any flare-ups and to take extra precautions if you plan to travel while you’re recovering from cellulitis.

Cut Your Risk Factors

There are some risk factors for cellulitis you can’t change. These include:

• Having an underactive immune system (which helps your body fight off infection)
• Being pregnant.
• A history of cellulitis.
• Long-term swelling of your legs or arms because of conditions such as lymphoedema.

However, there are many other ways for bacteria to get under your skin. Risk factors you can reduce include:

• Getting cuts or grazes (take steps to avoid falls and treat any cuts or grazes promptly by rinsing with bottled water or sterile wipes, and using antibiotics around the wound).
• Skin diseases like psoriasis or eczema (use regular moisturisers along with any regular medicine you’ve been prescribed(.
• Athlete’s foot – taking steps to avoid feet getting hot and sweaty, changing socks daily, wearing natural fibres that let your feet ‘breathe’ and washing and drying your feet daily will all help.
• Poorly controlled diabetes – keeping your blood sugars under tight control will greatly reduce the risk of bacterial infections.
• Living with overweight or obesity – losing just a few pounds can reduce your risk of bacterial infections.

Beware Low Humidity

If you’re going somewhere warm, humidity can make a big difference. In the UK, we often hear about the ‘wind chill factor’, which makes the temperature feel colder than the thermometer says it is. However, if the temperature is warm, humidity comes into play.

In areas of high humidity, your sweat (which is designed to cool you down as it evaporates from your skin) doesn’t disappear as quickly. This means you may feel warmer than you think you should.

This means high humidity carries an increased risk of overheating, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. But if you have cellulitis, you also need to beware of low humidity. This includes aircraft cabins, where humidity is often very low. Low humidity can lead to a dry mouth but also dry skin.

Dry skin is more likely to become cracked skin – and if your skin is cracked, the skin barrier can be compromised, making it easier for germs to penetrate. Keeping your skin really well moisturised, by applying a non-scented emollient regularly for at least a few days before you travel, can cut the chance of new infection, as well as help your skin to heal more quickly.

Stay Hydrated

Just as low humidity can dry out your skin (increasing the risk of a cellulitis flare-up), so can dehydration. In the UK, it’s recommended that you aim to drink 6-8 glasses of fluid a day (any non-alcoholic fluids count). In the UK, most people need 1.5-2.5 litres of fluid a day – some come from food but the majority comes from liquid.

However, if you’re in a hot country, you will often need more fluid to counter the effects of excess sweating, either because of the weather or because you’re exercising more than usual. If you have a tummy bug, you’ll be losing extra fluid from diarrhoea, vomiting and/or fever – so you’ll need to increase your fluid intake even more.

Water, sugar-free soft drinks and moderate amounts of tea and coffee all count towards your daily fluid intake. It’s best to avoid sugary drinks because they have a high-calorie content and can make your blood sugar rise quickly. ‘Moderate’ caffeine intake is up to 400mg a day– that’s about 8 cups of tea or 4 cups of brewed coffee.

Any amount of alcohol, by contrast, acts as a diuretic, making you more prone to dehydration. In large quantities, alcohol can also affect your body’s ability to fight off infection. So if you are going to treat yourself to a tipple while you’re on holiday, make sure you make yours a small one!

READ MORE: Staying Hydrated on Holiday

Antibiotics are (Sometimes) Everything

Cellulitis is caused by a bacterial infection under the skin. The most common culprit is a bacterium called staph (staphylococcus aureus) or sometimes strep (beta-haemolytic streptococcus).

While we all have bacteria living harmlessly on our skin without knowing it, bacteria that penetrate through the skin can start to multiply in the layers under the skin. Different antibiotics will be effective in treating different bacteria – for instance, flucloxacillin can often deal well with a staph infection, while a strep infection is likely to respond to penicillin.

There are many bacterial infections where antibiotics won’t help. If you have a minor bacterial infection, your body’s immune system will often be able to fight it off without antibiotics every bit as quickly as it would if you’d taken treatment. But cellulitis can cause serious complications if not treated, so it’s important to have a supply of antibiotics to take regularly if the infection hasn’t settled completely.

Your doctor may also give you a course of antibiotics to take if your cellulitis flares up (red, tender, swollen skin and often fever or feeling generally unwell). However, do remember that there’s no such thing as a ‘stronger’ or ‘weaker’ antibiotic – it all depends on whether the bacterium causing your infection is sensitive to the antibiotic you’re taking. If you’ve been taking your ‘usual’ antibiotic for at least 24-36 hours and your symptoms aren’t improving – or if you’re severely unwell (high fever, shivering all over, confusion etc), seek medical help.

READ MORE: Travelling with Medications

Other Meds for Cellulitis

Cellulitis can be very painful, affecting your mobility as well as your enjoyment of your holiday. Taking regular painkillers – either simple painkillers such as paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen – can help. If your pain is severe, you may be prescribed stronger codeine-containing painkillers. But do be aware that these can lead to drowsiness and constipation, as well as a significant risk of addiction in the medium-long term. It’s important to avoid stronger painkillers unless you really need them.

Your skin is a crucial barrier, protecting you from bacteria which could cause infection deep inside your body. That’s why keeping your skin well moisturised is also really important. If you have a condition like eczema, which can lead to inflammation of the skin, flare-ups can increase the risk of cracks in the skin. Regular moisturising is essential, but it’s also important to get flare-ups treated with steroid creams if you need them.

Insects, Insects Everywhere

Cellulitis happens when bacteria get under your skin and insect bites can also lead to infection, as the insect penetrates your skin. To reduce your risk while on holiday:

• Apply insect repellent regularly according to the instructions.
• The most effective mosquito repellents contain DEET in a concentration of at least 20% - although a higher concentration (up to 50%) will last longer.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts and long trousers, especially in the evenings when insects are most active.
• Use mosquito nets impregnated with insecticide if you’re in a high-risk mosquito area.

READ MORE: How to Manage Bites and Stings on Holiday

Check Your Insurance

Even if you’re in an area covered by the GHIC or EHIC insurance scheme, it’s essential to take out separate travel insurance. The GHIC allows you access to urgent or emergency treatment at the same rate as local inhabitants. However, this does not necessarily mean that your treatment will be free when you need it, as it is in the NHS. Many aspects of treatment aren’t covered by the GHIC.

READ MORE: Guide to EHIC, GHIC and Travel Insurance

If you have a pre-existing condition such as cellulitis, it’s essential to take out specialist insurance that covers your condition.  Otherwise, your insurance may be invalidated. And if you’re hoping to get away to relax and recuperate, the last thing you want is an exorbitant and unexpected bill!

READ MORE: Do You Need Travel Insurance?

Ensuring a safe and healthy holiday requires planning and mindfulness, especially if you have medical conditions like cellulitis. Proper hydration, attention to medication, and protection against insect bites are crucial steps.

Travel insurance tailored to your health needs can offer peace of mind and protection against unforeseen expenses. By taking these precautions, you can focus on enjoying your holiday to the fullest, knowing that you've safeguarded your health and well-being.

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