Cellulitis

Question 1

Describe the general appearance of cellulitis

Answer 1

Redness (spotty)
Swelling
Shiny

Question 2

What symptoms will a patient with cellulitis complain of?

Answer 2

Site affected is hot
Fever
Swollen/painful glands
Blisters
Painful to touch

Question 3

What investigations would you consider?

Answer 3

Supportive:

• Full blood count
• C reactive protein
• Blood chemistry
• Histopathology
• Imaging

Question 4

How would you manage a patient will cellulitis that is otherwise well?

Answer 4

Antibiotic tablets and monitor them

Question 5

When would you give a patient with cellulitis intravenous antibiotics?

Answer 5

If they had an increased HR, sweating or rigours

Question 6

What skin microbiome is likely to cause cellulitis?

Answer 6

Staphylococcus epidermis/streptococcus

Question 7

What is cellulitis?

Answer 7

Severe inflammation of the dermal and subcutaneous layer of the skin

Question 8

What does it mean if the blood culture of a person with cellulitis does NOT grow after 24hrs?

Answer 8

The organism causing cellulitis is NOT found in circulating blood but is localised to one area