(!) Cellulitis and erysipelas Flashcards
What is cellulitis?
Skin infections-similar infection but erysipelas has defined borders while cellulitis has non defined borders
what are presenting signs and sx of cellulitis ?
1 area (usually leg)-hot, painful usually a sign of entry-cuts, ulcers etc When no sign of entry-predisposition or sign of entry
differential-necrotising fasciitis if faster onset, black colour etc
Aetiology and risk factors of cellulitis
usually a sign of entry-cuts, ulcers etc -make sure to look at toe webs (fungal infections often a cause)
When no sign of entry-predisposition or sign of entry
cellulitis-usually affects deep dermis just before subcutaneous fat -where hair follicules are
main causes-gram + –staph or strep
Immunicompromised-gram - or fungal
risk factors-
immunosuppressed (diabetes, malignancy, IVDU, alcoholics)
Systemic steroids
Investigations of cellulitis
Usually clinical–
resistant-swabs and cultures
children-H.influenza
bloods-negative but can be + in bacteremia
MARK the area-see how it progressed
Management of cellulitis
Mark the area to see how it progresses with Abx
Dressings
elevate legs
Abx-for gram +
Flucloxacillin or benzylpenicillin
by the time in Hospital-IV with both 1g
Complications of cellulitis
Reccurent-Lymphodema which in turns makes you more prone to cellulitis -chronic skin changes (elephantiasis, lychenisasion)
Group A strep–glomerulanephritis
bacterial endocarditis-if bacteraemia-listen for new murmurs
what is erysipelas?
very similar to cellulitis but different area of the skin -more superficial -dermis
Signs and Sx of erisepelas
Spreads faster than cellulitis
usually face
systemic upset
well defined borders
Aetiology and risk factors of erysipelas
older patients, on face
usually caused by strep
Investigations of erysipelas
Blood culture, swab and STREP serology-tends to be caused by strep
Management of erisepelas
2/52 of penicillin
