Print Handheld Contrast

Cellulitis

Definition:

• local infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue characterized by spreading redness, swelling and pain. ² Cellulitis often occurs on limbs and is well demarcated. Ulcers can be the primary cause of the cellulitis or secondarily caused by the edema.

Goals of treatment:

• to rid the area of infection using systemic antibiotics or topical treatment.
• to heal the ulcer
  

Things to keep in mind:

• these wounds can be very painful, ensure that the patient is medicated prior to dressing changes.
• monitor the demarcation by marking and dating the skin so increases and decreases in infection can be noted subjectively.
  

Suggested treatment*:

• The suggested dressing for this wound would be to use Mepitel on the wound bed to decrease surface pain with dressing changes and protect the wound bed. If the wound is draining, Mesalt 4 x 4s could be laid over the Mepitel. Change the Mesalt daily (and stop using when there is no longer drainage from the wound). Cover with abd pads, wrap with Kling, from toes to below the knee.
• Or: just use Mepitel, cover with gauze or adb pads, wrap with Kling and change as needed (when there is strike-through on the abd pads). Change the Mepitel q 7 days or prn
  

* All suggested treatments and dressings in this web site were evidence based choices by the authors and by no means represent the only dressing option available.

return to Example Wounds & Dressings