Cellutitis

If a patient has suspected lymphoedema, the build-up of fluid in the tissues makes the patient more vulnerable to infection. 

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the deep skin layer (dermis) that often affects people with lymphoedema.  Cellulitis can also sometimes cause lymphoedema. NHS website Lymphoedema cellulitis.

Symptoms of cellulitis

NHS website check if you have cellulitis.  Symptoms of cellulitis can include the following:

• Acute redness and tenderness
• Acute inflammation
• High temperature
• Rigor
• Flu like symptoms i.e. ache

If a patient is clinically unwell, oral antibiotics can be used to treat cellulitis.  Severe cases of cellulitis may need to be treated in hospital with intravenous antibiotics.