Cellulitis Other considerations Wound Type Description Aims Dressings cellulose dressing Cellulitis is an infection Linked information of the skin and Intravenous Antibiotic Swab any exudate for Treat infection Policy including Cellulitis subcutaneous tissues culture and sensitivity guideline Exclude differential Pain control Usually requires diagnosis such as antibiotic therapy to eczema, DVT Manage any local skin prevent infection Monitor effectiveness conditions i.e. exudate, spreading systemically, of analgesia maceration may be oral or IV Rest and elevation for lower leg cellulitis to Clinical signs may be encouraged Identify original cause to include: Liase with GP/hospital reduce further episodes Red (erythema), hot, skin re: prescribed antibiotics of cellulitis which spreads to adjacent Trace around marked tissue, local oedema, area of erythema and blistering, exudate – Emollients to any dry skin monitor for any varying levels, pyrexia, increasing cellulitis, refer to GP or hospital pain Exudate management Monitor for pyrexia or symptoms of systemic Preceded by minor skin Low Exudate infection developing breaks (e.g. trauma, Low adherent dressings abrasion, ulceration Once initial episode has resolved consider insect bite), build up of compression therapy if dry scaly skin, venous cellulitis recurrent as hypertension, Moderate/High Exudate precursor to lymphoedema lymphoedema, obesity Foam, absorbent
Wound Type Description Aims Dressings Cellulitis Other considerations Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues Usually requires antibiotic therapy to prevent infection spreading systemically, may be oral or IV Clinical signs may include: Red (erythema), hot, skin which spreads to adjacent tissue, local oedema, blistering, exudate – varying levels, pyrexia, pain Preceded by minor skin breaks (e.g. trauma, abrasion, ulceration insect bite), build up of dry scaly skin, venous hypertension, lymphoedema, obesity Treat infection Pain control Manage any local skin conditions i.e. exudate, maceration Identify original cause to reduce further episodes of cellulitis Emollients to any dry skin Exudate management Low Exudate Low adherent dressings Moderate/High Exudate Foam, absorbent cellulose dressing Swab any exudate for culture and sensitivity Exclude differential diagnosis such as eczema, DVT Monitor effectiveness of analgesia Rest and elevation for lower leg cellulitis to be encouraged Liase with GP/hospital re: prescribed antibiotics Trace around marked area of erythema and monitor for any increasing cellulitis, refer to GP or hospital Monitor for pyrexia or symptoms of systemic infection developing Once initial episode has resolved consider compression therapy if cellulitis recurrent as precursor to lymphoedema Linked information Intravenous Antibiotic Policy including Cellulitis guideline