Redness and swelling of the skin are mostly due to infections, which are usually caused by bacterial infections such as carbuncles or boils, folliculitis, or soft tissue infections of the skin. Erythema can usually be applied topically with fusidic acid cream, erythromycin (soft) cream or Bactrim cream. Of course, skin redness and swelling may not necessarily be bacterial infections, but may also occur with fungal infections, which need to be investigated, and if fungal infections are identified, anti-fungal medications need to be administered orally, such as oral itraconazole.