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Diabetic Foot Care, Wounds & Circulation

Foot Infections, Cellulitis, Abscesses & Osteomyelitis

Causes, symptoms, and treatment for foot infections, with care at 15 clinics across Middle Tennessee.

Part of Diabetic Foot Care, Wounds & Circulation

Understanding foot infections and your options.

A foot infection happens when germs get into the skin or deeper tissue. Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and the layer below it. An abscess is a pocket of pus, and osteomyelitis is an infection in the bone.

Cuts, cracks, ingrown nails, and sores can let germs in. People with diabetes or poor circulation are at higher risk. Infections can spread fast, so quick treatment is important.

Request an appointmentCall 615-220-8788
Foot Infections, Cellulitis, Abscesses & Osteomyelitis care

Symptoms

Signs of foot infections.

If you notice these signs, an exam can give you clear answers.

  • 01

    Red, warm, swollen, or tender skin

  • 02

    A pocket of pus or a painful lump

  • 03

    Drainage or a bad smell from a wound

  • 04

    Fever, chills, or red streaks moving up the leg

Why it happens

What can cause foot infections.

  • 01

    Cuts, cracks, blisters, and puncture wounds

  • 02

    Ingrown toenails and athlete's foot

  • 03

    Open ulcers that stay uncovered

  • 04

    A weakened immune system or poor blood flow

Care groupDiabetic Foot Care, Wounds & Circulation

Diagnosis and care

How we treat foot infections.

Step 1 · Diagnosis

We examine the skin for redness, warmth, swelling, and drainage. We may take a sample from a wound to find the germ, and order blood tests. X-rays or an MRI can show whether the infection has reached the bone.

Step 2 · Treatment

Treatment often includes prescription antibiotics matched to the germ. For an abscess, we drain the pocket during a minor in-office procedure and clean the area. We use wound care and rest, and raise the foot to reduce swelling. Deep or spreading infections may need care in the hospital with medicine given through a vein.

Surgery may be needed to clean out infected tissue or bone, especially with osteomyelitis or a deep abscess. Removing infected bone can help the infection clear and protect the rest of the foot.

Recovery

What to expect over time.

Skin infections often improve in days to a couple of weeks. Bone infections can need many weeks of treatment and follow-up.

When to book

Do not wait it out.

See a podiatrist right away for redness, warmth, pus, or a wound that looks worse each day. Go to an emergency room for fever, red streaks, confusion, or fast-spreading redness.

Call 615-220-8788

Related care

More in Diabetic Foot Care, Wounds & Circulation.

FAQ

Your questions answered.

Is cellulitis contagious?

It usually does not spread from person to person. It is a skin infection that needs treatment so it does not spread inside your body.

Why do I need X-rays for a skin infection?

They can show gas, foreign objects, or bone changes. That helps us know if the infection is deeper than it looks.

Get help with foot infections.

Request an appointmentCall 615-220-8788

Where we treat it

Foot Infections, Cellulitis, Abscesses & Osteomyelitis care at 15 clinics.

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