Assessment of Suspected Cellulitis - Flowchart
Assessment of Suspected Cellulitis - Flowchart Assessment of Suspected Cellulitis Assessment of Suspected Cellulitis
Flowchart

Suspected cellulitis
Painful swelling and erythema of the skin, typically of the lower leg

Suspected cellulitis
Painful swelling and erythema of the skin, typically of the lower leg

Suspected cellulitis
Painful swelling and erythema of the skin, typically of the lower leg


End

End

End

Key observations (Table 1.1)
Focused assessment. Mark margin of affected skin
Consider differential diagnosis (Table 95.1)
Urgent investigation (Table 95.2)

Key observations (Table 1.1)
Focused assessment. Mark margin of affected skin
Consider differential diagnosis (Table 95.1)
Urgent investigation (Table 95.2)

Key observations (Table 1.1)
Focused assessment. Mark margin of affected skin
Consider differential diagnosis (Table 95.1)
Urgent investigation (Table 95.2)

Table 1.1

Table 95.1
Table 95.2

Manage as necrotizing fasciitis
Fluid resuscitation
IV antibiotic therapy (Table 95.4)
Seek urgent advice from orthopaedic or plastic surgeon and microbiologist

Manage as necrotizing fasciitis
Fluid resuscitation
IV antibiotic therapy (Table 95.4)
Seek urgent advice from orthopaedic or plastic surgeon and microbiologist

Manage as necrotizing fasciitis
Fluid resuscitation
IV antibiotic therapy (Table 95.4)
Seek urgent advice from orthopaedic or plastic surgeon and microbiologist



Table 95.4

Ill patient with severe pain and marked local tenderness?

Ill patient with severe pain and marked local tenderness?

Ill patient with severe pain and marked local tenderness?

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

Consider other diagnoses (Table 95.1)
Refer to dermatologist

Consider other diagnoses (Table 95.1)
Refer to dermatologist

Consider other diagnoses (Table 95.1)
Refer to dermatologist

Table 95.1

Assess severity of illness (Table 95.3)
Antibiotic therapy (Table 95.4)
Supportive care

Assess severity of illness (Table 95.3)
Antibiotic therapy (Table 95.4)
Supportive care

Assess severity of illness (Table 95.3)
Antibiotic therapy (Table 95.4)
Supportive care

Table 95.3
Table 95.4

Clinical picture typical of cellulitis?

Clinical picture typical of cellulitis?

Clinical picture typical of cellulitis?

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

Change to oral antibiotics

Change to oral antibiotics

Change to oral antibiotics

Improvement after 2-3 days?

Improvement after 2-3 days?

Improvement after 2-3 days?

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No