Diagnosing cellulitis
Presentation of lower limb cellulitis
Cellulitis commonly presents locally as a
well demarcated area of redness (erythema);
associated tenderness, warmth
and swelling are simple clinical criteria for
diagnosis. If there is no increased warmth
over the skin it is unlikely to be cellulitis.
Sometimes blisters are present or superficial
haemorrhage and necrosis. Lymph
glands may be enlarged and palpable.
The leg is the most common presenting
site and in most cases unilateral; bilateral
cellulitis is extremely rare (CREST 2005,
Quartey-Papafio 1999). In the absence of
common clinical features, differential
diagnoses must be considered before
starting treatment (Box 2).