GuidelinesOther guideline
Cellulitis
Infection Cellulitis Brief outline/clinical setting Acute superficial infection involving dermis and subcutaneous tissue, most commonly affects the lower extremities. It causes local signs of inflammation, such as warmth, erythema, pain, lymphangitis, and frequently systemic upset with fever and raised white blood cell count. Aetiologies/organisms Streptococci (e.g. S. pyogenes , group B streptoc
| Infection | Cellulitis |
| Brief outline/clinical setting | Acute superficial infection involving dermis and subcutaneous tissue, most commonly affects the lower extremities. It causes local signs of inflammation, such as warmth, erythema, pain, lymphangitis, and frequently systemic upset with fever and raised white blood cell count. |
| Aetiologies/organisms | Streptococci (e.g. S. pyogenes, group B streptococcus) and S. aureus |
| Optimal antimicrobial selection | Flucloxacillin 500mg 6 hourly po. If extensive disease / rapid spread / systemic inflammatory response: cloxacillin 2 g 6 hourly IVI PLUS clindamycin 600mg 8 hourly IVI |
| Duration | 5 days (may extend to 10 days If slow clinical improvement) |
| Alternative if allergic/not available | Cefazolin 1g 8 hourly IVI/ co-trimoxazole 1–2 double strength tablets bd po/ clindamycin 600 mg every 8 h IV or 450 mg qid po |
| Rationale | |
| Level of evidence | Guidelines (Strong recommendation, low-quality or very low quality evidence) |
| Link to Guideline | Click here |