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Cellulitis

Karl T. Clebak, FAAFP, MHA, MD, Jarrett Keller Sell, MD FAAFP AAHIVS and Lynn K. Weaver, MD Reviewed 06/2022
 


BASICS

Skin infections are a common health burden with >650,000 admissions per year in the United States (1). 

DESCRIPTION

  • An acute bacterial infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue

  • Types and...

DIAGNOSIS

Clinical diagnosis presenting as an area of rapidly spreading unilateral erythema, warmth, swelling, and/or tenderness. 

HISTORY

  • Previous trauma, surgery, animal/human bites, dermatitis, and f...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Immobilize/elevate involved limb to reduce swelling.

  • Sterile saline dressings or cool aluminum acetate compresses for pain relief

  • Edema: compression stockings, pneumatic pumps;...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Repeat relevant labs if patient is toxic or not improving.

  • Symptomatic improvement usually occurs in 24 to 48 hours, but visible improvement may ...

REFERENCES

1
Fritz SA, Shapiro DJ, Hersh AL. National trends in incidence of purulent skin and soft tissue infections in patients presenting to ambulatory and emergency department settings, 2000-2015. ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Kaye KS, Petty LA, Shorr AF, et al. Current epidemiology, etiology, and burden of acute skin infections in the United States. Clin Infect Dis. 2019;68(Suppl 3):...

CODES

ICD10

  • L03.032 Cellulitis of left toe

  • L03.312 Cellulitis of back [any part except buttock]

  • L03.211 Cellulitis of face

  • L03.112 Cellulitis of left axilla

  • L03.11 Cellulitis of other parts of limb

  • L03.315 ...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • S. aureus and group A Streptococcus are the most common organisms causing cellulitis.

  • Consider MRSA if cellulitis does not respond to antibiotics within 48 hours or if purulence present...

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