Cellulitis Study Guide: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Management
This comprehensive study guide provides an in-depth understanding of cellulitis, a common bacterial skin infection that requires timely diagnosis and treatment. It is an essential resource for healthcare professionals, medical students, or anyone seeking to improve their knowledge of cellulitis, its management, and its associated risks.
 
Key Features:
What is Cellulitis? Learn about cellulitis, a rapidly spreading skin infection caused by bacteria entering the skin through cuts, bites, or wounds. The condition is most commonly caused by Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA in some cases.
 
Differential Diagnosis: Understand how to distinguish cellulitis from similar conditions like erysipelas (superficial infection with raised borders), skin abscesses (pus-filled swelling), and other skin infections.
Risk Factors for Cellulitis: Explore key risk factors, such as poor circulation, diabetes, immunosuppression, fungal skin infections, and obesity. Identify the ways these conditions make individuals more susceptible to cellulitis.
 
Causative Pathogens: Most cellulitis cases are caused by gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus species. Learn how gram-negative bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa can sometimes cause cellulitis in immunocompromised individuals or those with open wounds exposed to water.
Signs and Symptoms: Cellulitis typically presents with pain, redness, warmth, swelling, and loss of function at the affected site. More severe cases may present with systemic symptoms such as fever, tachycardia, and hypotension, signaling the potential for sepsis or tissue necrosis.
 
Diagnosis: Learn how cellulitis is diagnosed clinically, based on physical symptoms. Understand when to take a skin swab or blood culture for pathogen identification, especially in patients with systemic symptoms.
Treatment Options: The first-line treatment for cellulitis is Flucloxacillin, which is effective against both Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus. Alternatives like Clarithromycin or Doxycycline are recommended for penicillin-allergic patients. Treatment duration is typically 7 days, but may be extended based on severity.
 
Monitoring and Follow-Up: Learn how to monitor the progress of cellulitis treatment by tracking changes in erythema, pain, and systemic symptoms. A drawn line around the area of erythema can help assess whether the infection is spreading or improving.
 
Whether you're preparing for exams, working in clinical practice, or simply looking to deepen your understanding of cellulitis, this guide provides clear, structured, and practical information to manage this common and potentially serious condition effectively.