Cellulitis treatment, diagnosis & prescriptions

Yes, in most cases a doctor from Maple will be able to offer a cellulitis diagnosis by observing your condition and discussing your symptoms. Once you describe your symptoms and the doctor has had a chance to evaluate your condition, they will recommend a course of treatment, including any necessary prescription

If the doctor believes the cellulitis infection is spreading into your bloodstream, they will request that you visit a clinic to have blood tests done.

Yes, our physicians can prescribe medications online during your consultation. Once you accept a prescription, you’ll have the option to pick it up from any pharmacy or to have it delivered right to your door at no additional cost.

You can visit our How it Works page to learn more.

Cellulitis is a common bacterial infection of the skin, or the soft tissues beneath the skin. Bacteria enter through breaks in the skin and begin to multiply and spread. This leads to an infection, which can become serious if left untreated.

While this is most frequently seen in hands, feet, arms and legs, cellulitis can occur in most other areas, including facial cellulitis.

Common cellulitis symptoms include:

• Pain or tenderness
• Redness
• Inflammation
• Warmth
• Red spots or blisters
• Fever or chills
• Blisters
• Leaking clear or yellow fluid, or pus

Typically, cellulitis is caused by an injury that results in a tear in the skin where bacteria are able to enter your body.

Other common cellulitis causes include:

• Foreign objects lodged in the skin
• Post-surgery infections
• Bone infections from exposure due to serious injury
• Long-term skin conditions (psoriasis, eczema, etc.)

Yes. While it's not of the common cellulitis symptoms, in some cases where blisters or pimples form over the infection, the skin can become irritated and itchy.

Preventing a cellulitis infection can be managed by taking steps both before there are tears in the skin where bacteria can enter, and after a tear has formed.

Before an injury has occurred, you can help prevent cellulitis by:

• Practicing good hygiene, washing all high-risk areas regularly with antibacterial soap and water
• Wearing properly fitting shoes and socks, to avoid chafing and blisters
• Wearing protective gloves while using knives or sharp tools
• Not walking around barefoot outdoors

If a tear has already occurred in your skin, you can prevent cellulitis by:

• Cleaning the wound daily with soap and water
• Keeping the wound wrapped with a clean bandage
• Changing bandages at least once a day
• Applying protective antibacterial creams or ointments
• Watching for signs of infection and seeking medical attention if you believe the wound is infected

No, cellulitis is not contagious. It's typically not spread from person to person.

While it is a bacterial infection, because it's an infection of the soft tissues in the deeper layers of skin, the top layer of skin (epidermis) provides a cover over the infection.

Maple is a virtual care platform that connects you with our network of Canadian-licensed doctors, nurse practitioners and specialists via secure text, audio or video call. Sign in to your Maple account to start a visit. Learn more about how Maple works here.

A visit works a lot like an in-person appointment. A doctor or nurse practitioner will ask about your symptoms, review your health history and recommend a treatment plan that's right for you. Sometimes, you might need to see someone in person. When that happens, we'll help you figure out what comes next.

As a Maple member, you get 24/7 access to care online. Connect with our network of Canadian-licensed doctors and nurse practitioners in minutes via secure text, audio or video call.

Membership is $85/month. One membership, care for your whole family. In eligible provinces, membership includes:

• Daily visits: one visit a day with a doctor or nurse practitioner for each family member in your household
• Paediatric care: covered paediatric primary care visits, available by appointment
• Second Medical Opinion: when you're unsure about a complex diagnosis, like cancer or MS, or want to understand all your options, you and your family can access an expert Second Medical Opinion
• Personal Health Check-Ins: personalized, evidence-based proactive care screenings to help you stay on top of your health
• iCBT courses: internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy self-assessments and courses
• Specialists: see a specialist in days, not months. No referral necessary.
• Specialist referrals: a referral to a physician specialist for in-person care, if needed

Membership can't be combined with other offerings, such as private insurance coverage and provincial programs, where available. A Healthcare Spending Account (HSA) may cover your membership fees. Check with your HSA provider for details.

Your Maple monthly membership covers virtual care for you, your spouse and your dependents under the age of 18 who share the same primary residence. Full disclaimer and refund policy here.

We accept all major credit cards, including AMEX, plus Google Pay and Apple Pay.

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Our policies and consent processes are simple and easy to understand, so you stay in control. Strong security infrastructure and strict data policies protect every session. You keep control of your personal health information, medical records and test results at all times. We also work with leading experts and review our policies regularly.

All doctors and nurse practitioners who deliver care through Maple are licensed in Canada and governed by their regulatory colleges. They must follow the telemedicine policies set by the medical regulator in each province.

Regulators across Canada recognize the value of virtual care. It helps improve access to care for patients and makes care delivery more efficient for practitioners and Canada's healthcare system.