cellulitis Flashcards
define cellulitis
inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissues due to infection typically by streptococcus pyogenes or staphylococcus aureus.
what are the most common causative organisms?
o Streptococcus pyogenes
o Staphylococcus aureus
what is needed to cause cellulitis?
a break to the skin
presenting features of cellulitis?
- History of cut, scratch or injury
- Pain
- Erythema
- Oedema
- Warm tender indistinct margins
what might suggest sepsis?
• Pyrexia
what is the presentation and investigation for peri-orbital cellulitis?
• Periorbital o Swollen eye lids o Conjunctival infection o Affected vision • Contrast enhanced CT scan
how might orbital cellulitis present?
o Proptosis
o Impaired visual acuity and eye movements
how is cellulitis diagnosed?
Diagnosis is clinical
what is first line treatment for cellulitis ?
flucloxacillin is the first line
how to treat people with a penicillin allergy?
o clarithromycin or doxycycline
how should severe cellulitis be treated?
co-amoxiclav, cefuroxime, clindamycin, ceftriaxone
IV treatment
what are the complications of cellulitis?
- Orbital cellulitis
* Sloughing of overlying skin
prognosis for cellulitis?
• Good prognosis
