Cellulitis

From IDWiki

Background

  • Infection of superficial skin and skin structures

Microbiology

Clinical Manifestations

  • Hot, red, swollen, tender area of skin with poorly demarcated margins
  • With or without pus and/or bullae
  • Legs more common than elsewhere

Diagnosis

  • Clinical based on typical appearance

Differential Diagnosis

Management

  • Source control: drain any abscess
  • Antibiotics for 5-7 days
  • Non-resolving cellulitis
    • Bug-drug mismatch
    • Resistance
    • Poor antibiotic choice
    • Unusual organism
    • Poor adherence/absorption/distribution
    • Wrong diagnosis
    • Impatience!
  • Complications of infection
    • Abscess (drain it)
    • Deep infection
    • Metastasis

Prophylaxis