ELI5- What’s the difference between cellulitis and an abscess?

Question

ELI5- What’s the difference between cellulitis and an abscess?

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Answer 1

Cellulitis is an infection happening in the layers of skin. It can be fairly spread out but is contained within the skin. It looks like a rash.

An abscess is more like a pocket of infection that can appear anywhere on the body and can involve more than just the skin. For instance, you can get an abscess in your gums or in an internal organ. It’s sort of like a pimple on steroids.