Cellulitis: what you ought to know

摘要

CELLULITIS is inflammation of loose connective tissue usually with a bacterial cause. It mostly refers to inflammation of subcutaneous layer of the skin. A related term "erysipelas" describes cellulitis that affects the more superficial components of the skin (ie, the dermis and upper subcutaneous tissue). Cellulitis commonly seen in community pharmacy often results from insect bites or stings. The condition usually responds to prompt treatment with antibiotics, but complications can arise. In 2010 there were 917 deaths as a result of cellulitis in England and Wales, mostly in elderly people. In 2008-09 England and Wales saw 82,000 hospital admissions of people with cellulitis (1.6 per cent of emergency hospital admissions during this period). Mean length of stay was 7.2 days and the cost was ￡133m for beds alone.