• To recognise the presenting signs and symptoms of cellulitis
• To understand the risk factors associated with the development of cellulitis
• To enhance your knowledge of what is involved in cellulitis prevention and management
Cellulitis is an acute bacterial infection that affects the deep dermis and surrounding subcutaneous tissue. Although it is a common condition, it is often misdiagnosed because it can mimic a range of conditions that also cause inflamed, red, irritated and painful skin. Such misdiagnoses may lead to unnecessary hospital admissions and antibiotic overuse, with most alternative diagnoses being non-infectious. Undertaking a holistic patient assessment, skin assessment and thorough clinical history is important in the diagnosis of cellulitis, and it is vital to use a collaborative multidisciplinary approach in its acute management and to prevent recurrence. This article defines the term cellulitis and explores its presenting features. The author also discusses the associated risk factors, clinical assessment techniques and effective management strategies, as well as outlining the actions that nurses can take to prevent recurrence.
Nursing Standard. 39, 2, 39-44. doi: 10.7748/ns.2023.e12187
Peer reviewThis article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software
Correspondence Conflict of interestNone declared
Newton H (2023) Diagnosing, assessing and managing cellulitis. Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2023.e12187
Published online: 04 December 2023
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