Understanding and managing cellulitis

Cellulitis is a relatively common emergency in acute and community care settings, and can be a source of significant pain and anxiety for affected patients. This article examines the management of patients with generalised cellulitis--an infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, which is exacerbated by the presence of damaged skin, poor circulation or diabetes mellitus. Appropriate dressing regimens for the management of wounds resulting from this infection are discussed. Localised cellulitis that develops as a result of an existing wound infection is not covered in this article.