Cellulitis is a term used to describe an acute inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, typically due to infection by Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylcoccus aureus.

PC

• commonly occurs on the shins
• Poorly demarcated lesion - due to it being an infection in the deeper dermis and subcutaneous tissues
• erythema, pain, swelling
• there may be some associated systemic upset such as fever

The diagnosis of cellulitis is clinical. No further investigations are required in primary care. Bloods and blood cultures may be requested if the patient is admitted and septicaemia is suspected.

Criteria for admission

NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries recommend we use the Eron classification to guide how we manage patients with cellulitis:

They recommend the following that we admit for intravenous antibiotics the following patients:

• Has Eron Class III or Class IV cellulitis.
• Has severe or rapidly deteriorating cellulitis (for example extensive areas of skin).
• Is very young (under 1 year of age) or frail.
• Is immunocompromized.
• Has significant lymphoedema.
• Has facial cellulitis (unless very mild) or periorbital cellulitis.