Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the deeper skin layers, with spreading redness, warmth, swelling and pain, often with fever. In a toddler with eczema, NICE NG190 says signs of cellulitis should be managed under the separate cellulitis guideline (NG141), not as simple infected eczema. Both NG190 and NG153 list cellulitis as something to rule out when a skin infection worsens or fails to improve. NG153 says impetigo with signs of cellulitis should be referred to hospital.

Connections

• NICE NG190 — follow NG141 if cellulitis signs; reassessment differential, source: NICE NG190
• NICE NG153 — referral trigger in impetigo, source: NICE NG153