Evidence base: Cellulitis and erysipelas

Systematic review

• Kilburn SA, Featherstone P, Higgins B et al. Interventions for cellulitis and erysipelas. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2010; (6): CD004299.

This review was unable to identify the best treatment for cellulitis and erysipelas.

Guidelines

• CREST. Guidelines on the management of cellulitis in adults. 2005.

Available from: www.gain-ni.org/Library/Guidelines/Management_Cellulitis_Adults.asp

• The British Lymphology Society. Consensus document on the management of cellulitis in lymphoedema. 2010.

Available from: www.thebls.com/docs/consensus.pdf

Key text

• Wolff K, Katz SI, Goldsmith LA et al. Fitzpatrick's dermatology in general medicine (seventh edition). McGraw-Hill Medical, 2007.

Chapter 179 covers cellulitis, erysipelas and other soft tissue infections.

Curriculum

This topic is covered in the GP curriculum in statement 15.10 Skin problems

Online

• The British Lymphology Society - www.thebls.com
• The Lymphoedema Support Network - www.lymphoedema.org

Both of these websites provide advice for patients and doctors on managing lymphoedema, with specific guidelines on cellulitis in lymphoedema.

Contributed by Dr James Powell, specialist registrar in dermatology, Solihull Hospital, Birmingham