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Cellulitis and related skin infections
American Family Physician
|September 1, 1987
Summary
Diagnosing skin infections involves analyzing location, appearance, and clinical course to determine the cause. Physicians should consider patient factors and use traditional antibiotics first to avoid unnecessary, costly treatments.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Infectious Diseases
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Skin infections present with diverse clinical manifestations.
- Accurate etiological diagnosis is crucial for effective management.
- Patient factors, including immunocompetence, influence treatment decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline a rational approach for diagnosing and treating skin infections.
- To emphasize the importance of clinical presentation in determining etiology.
- To guide appropriate antibiotic selection, prioritizing traditional agents.
Main Methods:
- Clinical assessment of skin infection characteristics (location, appearance, course).
- Evaluation of patient-specific factors (e.g., entry site, immunocompetence).
- Review of antibiotic treatment strategies for common skin pathogens.
Main Results:
- Clinical features correlate with specific causative agents of skin infections.
- Patient immunocompetence and infection severity inform hospitalization decisions.
- Initial treatment with traditional antibiotics is often sufficient and cost-effective.
Conclusions:
- A systematic clinical evaluation aids in presuming the etiology of skin infections.
- Judicious use of antibiotics, starting with traditional agents, is recommended.
- Avoiding "overkill" with newer antibiotics preserves their efficacy and reduces costs.