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Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection usually caused by Staphylococcus or Streptococcus that can develop from skin trauma or wounds. It presents as a red, painful, swollen area that can spread and cause fever if not treated promptly with antibiotics. Risk factors include conditions reducing blood flow or lymphatic drainage in the infected area. Treatment involves identifying the bacteria through culture, using targeted antibiotics, debridement if needed, and elevation to reduce symptoms. Monitoring for changes in vital signs helps detect potential systemic infection.

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98 views1 page

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection usually caused by Staphylococcus or Streptococcus that can develop from skin trauma or wounds. It presents as a red, painful, swollen area that can spread and cause fever if not treated promptly with antibiotics. Risk factors include conditions reducing blood flow or lymphatic drainage in the infected area. Treatment involves identifying the bacteria through culture, using targeted antibiotics, debridement if needed, and elevation to reduce symptoms. Monitoring for changes in vital signs helps detect potential systemic infection.

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Debbie Belloli

Pathophysiology

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection usually caused by Staphylococcus or Streptococcus. It is an infection of


the skin and subcutaneous tissues. It can happen from a trauma to the skin, or as a secondary infection
of a current wound. Conditions that decrease blood flow in the veins or reduction of lymphatic fluid
increase the risk for developing cellulitis.

It usually starts as a small area of redness, edema, pain, tenderness, fever, sometimes with chills and
sweats. This infection can go systemic if not treated quickly. Cellulitis can happen anywhere on the
body, but the lower legs are the most common.

Taking a culture and testing for sensitivity of a pustule or drainage is needed to identify what organism is
causing the infection. Then you would treat with topical and systemic antibiotics specific to that
organism. Sometimes debridement of nonviable tissue is needed. Elevation of the affected extremity
can reduce pain and swelling.

Continue to monitor vital signs, measure the extremity daily, and watch for hypotension and
tachycardia. Changes in heart rate and blood pressure can indicate systemic infection.

Williams, L., & Hopper, P. (2015). Understanding the Integumentary System. In Understanding
Medical Surgical Nursing (5th ed., p. 1305). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company.

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