Medically reviewed by Annilea Gunn, MD, CCFP, FCFP, ABFM, on August 30, 2025
When your lower leg suddenly turns red, swollen, and hot to the touch, the diagnosis is often quick: cellulitis. But what if that’s only part of the story?" Could the real culprit be hiding in your circulation? Because, in some cases, the cause runs much deeper and starts in your veins.
For this blog, we consulted with Dr. Annilea Gunn, lead physician at CVR vein clinics in Oregon (Toledo), Ohio, and Sylvania, Ohio.
📍Schedule your consultation with Dr. Gunn in Oregon (Toledo), OH: Call 240-965-3915 to speak with a Patient Services Representative or BOOK ONLINE TODAY.
📍Schedule your consultation with Dr. Gunn in Sylvania, OH: Call 240-965-3915 to speak with a Patient Services Representative or BOOK ONLINE TODAY.
📅 To schedule a consultation at any of CVR’s other 120+ vein clinics nationwide, click the link below ⬇️
Cellulitis is a potentially serious bacterial infection that affects the deeper layers of the skin and the tissues beneath it. According to the National Library of Medicine (NIH), this bacterial skin infection is common, with over 14 million cases occurring in the United States annually.
Cellulitis most often appears as a spreading area of redness that feels warm, tender, and swollen to the touch. In many cases, it’s accompanied by symptoms such as fever, chills, or fatigue. The infection typically begins when bacteria, most often Streptococcus or Staphylococcus species, enter the body through a break in the skin, such as a cut, scrape, surgical incision, insect bite, or other injury.
While the point of entry is sometimes easy to spot, in other cases it can be so small or hidden that it’s not noticeable. As the infection progresses, the affected area may swell significantly, develop blisters, or ooze fluid. In more advanced cases, red streaks can appear, indicating that the infection is spreading through the lymphatic system. Without prompt treatment, cellulitis can worsen quickly and lead to serious complications, including bloodstream infection (sepsis), bone infection, or tissue death.
But wait: there’s a vein-related plot twist for the cause of recurring cellulitis in the legs.
How Vein Health Can Play a Role
Although bacteria cause cellulitis, certain underlying conditions can make the skin more vulnerable to infection. One of the most common is chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a progressive condition in which the veins in the legs struggle to return blood to the heart. Poor circulation from CVI can cause persistent swelling (edema), skin thickening, and changes in skin color and texture. Over time, these changes weaken the skin’s natural defenses, making it more likely to break down, even from a minor bump or scratch, and allowing bacteria to enter.
The extra fluid in the tissues also slows healing and can impair immune function in the area, increasing the risk of cellulitis even when the skin appears intact. This is why people with varicose veins, spider veins, or other signs of vein disease often experience cellulitis more than once.
If you’ve battled cellulitis more than once, the infection may be a symptom, not the whole problem. Chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins, or hidden vein blockages can weaken your skin’s defenses, making infections more likely. At Center for Vein Restoration (CVR), our board-certified vein specialists use advanced imaging and minimally invasive treatments to address the circulation problems that lead to recurrent cellulitis.
Don’t wait until the next flare-up! Get a comprehensive vein evaluation today at a Center for Vein Restoration vein clinic near you!
📞 Call Center for Vein Restoration at 240-965-3915
📅 Or book online HERE
Research published in ScienceDirect titled Spontaneous Onset of Bacterial Cellulitis in Lower Limbs with Chronic Obstructive Venous Disease describes a less common but important type of cellulitis seen in people with obstructive venous disease, where there’s a blockage in a major vein, often the iliac vein in the pelvis. In these cases, cellulitis can occur without any visible cut or ulcer. Swelling, lymphatic congestion, and poor skin oxygenation create the perfect environment for bacteria to invade through microscopic breaks in the skin barrier.
Here’s the surprising part: when the vein blockage was treated with a stent, patients often saw not only their swelling improve but also their cellulitis episodes stop altogether. This shows that circulation problems, not just wounds, can be at the root of recurring skin infections.
If you’ve had more than one episode of cellulitis, especially in the same leg, it’s worth asking whether vein disease could be a contributing factor. You may want to speak with a Center for Vein Restoration vascular specialist if you notice:
Your CVR healthcare provider can diagnose cellulitis through a physical exam and, if needed, blood or skin cultures to identify the bacteria. But if vein disease is suspected, additional tests like a duplex ultrasound or venography may be recommended to evaluate blood flow, detect valve problems, or spot blockages.
Advanced imaging can identify iliac vein compression (also called May-Thurner syndrome) or other venous outflow obstructions that could be silently setting the stage for repeated infections.
The primary treatment for cellulitis is antibiotics, either oral or intravenous, depending on severity. Pain medicine and measures like elevating the leg and keeping the skin clean and dry can also help. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to drain abscesses or remove dead tissue.
But treating the infection is only part of the solution. If venous insufficiency or obstruction is the underlying problem, addressing circulation is key to preventing future episodes. This may involve:
Recurring cellulitis isn’t just painful; it’s a warning sign your circulation needs attention. Center for Vein Restoration provides the nation’s most advanced, patient-centered vein care, treating the underlying venous insufficiency or vein obstruction that antibiotics alone can’t fix. With over 120 locations nationwide, it’s easy to see a vein specialist near you.
If cellulitis keeps coming back (especially without an apparent skin injury), it may be time to look beyond the surface and examine your circulation. The first step is determining whether underlying vein disease is contributing to your symptoms, and that starts with a thorough evaluation by a board-certified Center for Vein Restoration vein specialist.
If you have CVI or varicose veins, you can lower your cellulitis risk by:
Call your healthcare provider right away if you notice:
Prompt treatment can prevent serious complications, and if you have vein disease, early intervention can protect your skin from future damage.
Call 240-965-3915 to speak with a Patient Services Representative or schedule your consultation online at a CVR near you today.
Every episode of cellulitis can leave lasting damage to your skin and increase your risk of serious complications. By restoring healthy blood flow, you can stop the cycle of swelling, skin breakdown, and infection.
If you’ve battled cellulitis more than once, don’t just treat the infection; get your veins checked today.
The vein doctors at Center for Vein Restoration are leaders in diagnosing and treating vein disease, offering safe, outpatient procedures that relieve symptoms and help prevent future cellulitis. We can diagnose and treat circulation problems, helping you heal faster and prevent future flare-ups.
Remember: Healthy veins aren’t just about appearance—they’re a vital part of protecting your skin and your overall health!
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