Cellulitis

Question 1

Cellulitis:

differences between cellulitis and erysipelas?

Answer 1

Erysipelas - more pronounced raised skin and well demarcated

Cellulitis - poorly demarcated and less oedematous appearance

Question 2

Cellulitis:

Common erysipelas and cellulitis pathogens?

Answer 2

Erysipelas - Strep. pyogenes
Cellulitis - Strep. species and Staph. aureus particularly if a traumatic/penetrating wound or ulceration/abscess (S. aureus is typically purulent)

Question 3

Cellulitis:

how to prevent cellulitis?

Answer 3

treat skin integrity risks and those that impact healing:

• dermatitis
• diabetic control
• oedema (venous stasis, lymphoedema)
• fungal infection prevention (eg. hygiene and podiatry care)

Question 4

Cellulitis:

Management of cellulitis?

Answer 4

1) source control
2) address contributing factors (flows into prevention)
3) Antibiotics

Question 5

Cellulitis:

Delineation between indication for oral antibiotics versus intravenous antibiotics?

Answer 5

IV if 2 or more systemic features suggestive of sepsis
OR
There is reasonable likelihood of rapidly progression

Question 6

Cellulitis:

What is the expected response of cellulitis to initiation of antibiotics?

Answer 6

• may worsen in the first 48hrs

- may not see evidence of response for up to 5 days