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Cellulitis is a spreading bacterial infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissues ( CREST 2005 )
It is a bacterial skin and soft tissue infection Generally affects the lower limbs Erysipelas – Greek erythros (red) + pella (skin ) is considered a subtype Evidence suggests a large overlap between the two conditions Seen and managed frequently by different specialists as GPs, surgeons , general medics , and dermatologists Seen frequently in adults and a very common cause for admission In 2008-9 – 82 113 admissions in England and Wales mean length of stay of 7.2 days This is rising ( data from Australia and USA ) Approximately 7 % of all patients with cellulitis are hospitalised Significant resource and financial burden on healthcare systems- – common global burden
Streptococcus species – usually groups A ( S. pyogens for most cases ) Staphylococcus aureus Dog/ cat bite Pasteurella multocida , Capnocytophaga canimorus Less common Streptococcus pneuomoniae, Haeophilus influenzae, Gram negative bacillin , Anaerobes
Skin integrity Immunity Vasculature -Risk factor for development of cellulitis
Risk factors- Pregnant White race Venous / lymph insufficiency Lymphoedema Diabetes Old age Peripheral arterial disease. Previous h/o cellulitis Athletes foot Psoriasis Insect / animal bite Injection drug use Immunosuppression , neutropenia , chemotherapy , immersion injury Ulcers , eczema , wound
Following an episode of cellulitis ○ about 7 % develop chronic leg oedema ○ persistent leg ulceration ○ 29 % suffer another episode within 3 yrs Skin changes eg discoloration may persist
Lymphoedema is the most important risk factor for recurring cellulitis . 25-60 % of patients with recurring episodes suffer with chronic lymphoedema
Check- Previous episodes Duration Symptoms as painful Itching Fever /Malaise Tenderness Identify any precipitating causes eg ○ local lesions ○ insect /human bites ○ break in skin due to injury or trauma ○ athletes foot ○ chronic oedema and lymphoedema ○ leg ulceration ○ IV cannulation Comorbidities
Presents as red , painful , hot , swollen and tender area of skin Check vitals to r/o systemic involvement Look for - Skin break Fungal skin infection Ulcer Bullae and blisters Outline visible margins with indelible marker Unilateral or bilateral ( cellulitis almost always unilateral ) Eczematous or cellulitic or both Lymphangitis –> red lines streaking away from the area of infection or lymphadenopathy Any evidence suggestive of DVT Consider leg measurement BJGP recommends a leg raise test to 45° for 1-2 mins- cellulitis erythema will persist
Blood Leukocytosis and elevated CRP are present in 34-50 % and 77-97 % of patients U&E and LFT as indicated Swab of exudate Blood culture ( rarely positive ) Imaging – usually not needed Consider if ○ diagnosis is in doubt ○ underlying abscess suspected or necrotizing fascitis ( MRI ) No effective diagnostic modality for cellulitis and many clinical conditions appear similar
Differential -Stasis dermatitis Stasis ulcers Septic arthritis Gout Congestive heart failure Ruptured Bakers cyst Non-specific oedema DVT Thrombophlebitis Erysipelas Lipodermatosclerosis Pyoderma gangrenosum Impetigo Lyme disease Vasculitis Contact dermatitis
Complications -Necrotizing fasciitis-extensive and progressive necrosis of the s/c tissue and fascia ( search images on google) Myositis Subcutaneous abscesses Sepsis Post-streptococcal nephritis Death
Erons class of cellulitis
Class 1-Patient has no sign of systemic toxicity no controlled co-morbidities Class 2- Patients are systemically unwell or systemically well with a co-morbidity such which may complicate or delay resolutions as ○ peripheral vascular disease ○ chronic venous insufficiency ○ morbid obesity ○ diabetes ○ chronic liver disease , CKD Class 3 Patients may significant systemic upset as ○ acute confusion ○ high pulse rate and resp rate ○ hypotension or Suffer with unstable co-morbidities that may ○ interfere with a response to therapy ○ have a limb threatening infection due to a vascular compromise Class 4- Sepsis syndrome life threatening infections such as necrotizing fascitis
No role of topical antibiotics Usually treated with high dose of Flucloxacillin x 7 days ( before or long after meals – traditionally 1st line ) Clarithromycin ( if allergic ) Cellulitis with known lymphoedema- Amoxicillin or Clarithromycin Facial cellulitis – Augmentin x 7 days Clarithromycin if allergic to penicillin Doxycyline or Minocycline ,Cephalexin , Dicloxacillin are options Clindamycin is an option ( used in necrotizing fascitis ) better tissue penetration than beta lactams Resistance and C Diff diarrhoea can be problematic- adv to stop if diarrhoea develops Cellulitis from a wound contaminated by fresh/ sea water – contact microbiologist Continue antibiotics for another 7 days if no improvement after initial course and the person remains systemically well ( CKS ) Vancomycin- 1st choice for MRSA , linezolid is an alternative
No consensus on optimum duration/ route or choice of antibiotics - refer to local guidance as well-Young children ( eg < 1 year ) or old and frail Progressive infection despite antibiotic treatment eg spreading margins or lymphangitis CKS advice- consider admission/ advice if no improvement after 2 weeks Pain unbearable or rapid and dramatic worsening ( r/o necrotising fascitis ) Immunocompromized Significant lymphoedema Facial or peri-orbital cellulitis
Blistering , ulceration – refer D/N or TV Nurse Wet cellulitis can be treated with potassium permanganate solution Issue a non-adherent dressing but if the exudate is copient more absorbent dressing may be helpful
Offer analgesia ( evidence for use of NSAIDs ) Ensure hydration Arrange F/U ( CKS advice within 48 hrs )-tel/F2F Leg elevation where applicable Dorsiflexion exercise to relieve oedema Advice to observe for skin blistering , broken skin , exudate or venous ulceration ( seek D/N input ) Seek help if ○ antibiotics not tolerated ○ cellulitis becomes worse ○ signs of systemic upset Warn about risk of recurrence and preventative measures ( Eg NHS , Patient UK or BAD PIL )
LINKS AND RESOURCES
PATIENT INFORMATION
City Hospitals Sunderland on cellulitis https://www.rcem.ac.uk/docs/Local%20Guidelines_DischargeAdvice/12c.%20Cellulitis%20-%20discharge%20advice%20(Sunderland%20Royal%20Hospital,%20June%202012).pdf
British Association of Dermatology on cellulitis https://www.bad.org.uk/for-the-public/patient-information-leaflets/cellulitis-and-erysipelas/?showmore=1&returnlink=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bad.org.uk%2Fpatient-information-leaflets#.Xo07T4gzZPY
NHS on cellulitis https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cellulitis/
Health Navigator New Zealand https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/c/cellulitis/
INFORMATION FOR CLINICIANS
Antbiotic prescribing from HSE IE https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/2/gp/antibiotic-prescribing/conditions-and-treatments/skin-soft-tissue/cellulitis/
NICE- cellulitis and erysiplelas antibiotic prescribing https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng141/resources/visual-summary-pdf-6908401837
Dermnet NZ on cellulitis https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/cellulitis/
References
- CREST guidelines on the management of cellulitis in adults June 2005 https://www.rcem.ac.uk/docs/External%20Guidance/10n.%20Guidelines%20on%20the%20management%20of%20cellulitis%20in%20adults%20(CREST,%202005.pdf
- Cellulitis : current insights into pathophysiology and clinical management D.R Cranedonk et al The Netherlands Journal of Medicine November 2017 , Vol 77 , No 9, Pages 366-378
- Cellulitis- acute CKS NHS December 2016 https://cks.nice.org.uk/cellulitis-acute
- Diagnosis and management of cellulitis Gokulan Phoenix et al BMJ 2012 ; 345 : e4955
- The assessment , diagnosis and treatment of cellulitis by Pauline Beldon Tissue viability nurse consultant , Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust
- Management of cellulitis : current practice and research questions Br J Gen Pract 2018 ; 68 (677 ) : 595-596
- John Hopkins ABX guide Cellulitis
- Providing evidence-based care for patients with lower-extremity cellulitis by Darlene Hanson PhD et al Wound Care Advisor https://woundcareadvisor.com/providing-evidence-based-care-for-patients-vol4-no3/
- Raff AB, Kroshinsky D. Cellulitis: A Review. JAMA. 2016 Jul;316(3):325-337. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2016.8825.
- Cannon J, Dyer J, Carapetis J, Manning L. Epidemiology and risk factors for recurrent severe lower limb cellulitis: a longitudinal cohort study. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2018;24(10):1084‐1088. doi:10.1016/j.cmi.2018.01.023 ( Abstract )
- Cannon J, Rajakaruna G, Dyer J, Carapetis J, Manning L. Severe lower limb cellulitis: defining the epidemiology and risk factors for primary episodes in a population-based case-control study. Clin Microbiol Infect. 2018;24(10):1089‐1094. doi:10.1016/j.cmi.2018.01.024 ( Abstract )
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Epidemiology and risk factors for recurrent severe lower limb cellulitis: a longitudinal cohort study J. Cannon J. Dyer J. Carapetis L. Manning Clinical Microbiology and Infection Volume 24, ISSUE 10, P1084-1088, October 01, 2018
- NICE Cellulitis and erysipelas : antimicrobial prescribing via https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng141/resources/visual-summary-pdf-6908401837