Which antibiotic is best for cellulitis?

Normal skin can develop cellulitis, but it usually occurs when bacteria enters an open wound. The best antibiotic to treat cellulitis include dicloxacillin, cephalexin, trimethoprim with sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, or doxycycline antibiotics.

What can you cover cellulitis with?

Wash the area with clean water 2 times a day. Don’t use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the area with a thin layer of petroleum jelly, such as Vaseline, and a non-stick bandage. Apply more petroleum jelly and replace the bandage as needed.

What would be the most appropriate empiric therapy for a patient with non purulent cellulitis?

Potential regimens for nonpurulent cellulitis are an oral beta-lactam or, for patients with severe penicillin allergy, clindamycin. For patients with purulent cellulitis and culture data, convert to oral therapy based on these results. For patients without culture data, convert to TMP/SMX or doxycycline.

When should I take IV antibiotics for cellulitis?

“Typically, if a patient is not responding to oral antibiotics, and the cellulitis has symptoms that appear to be more involved and can’t be managed with antibiotics, such as high fever or low blood pressure — systemic signs of infection — then they get intravenous antibiotics,” says Kaminska.

Should cellulitis be covered?

Properly covering the affected skin will help it heal and prevent irritation. Follow your doctor’s instructions for dressing your wound and be sure to change your bandage regularly. Keeping the area clean. Follow your doctor’s recommendations for cleaning the affected skin.

Should cellulitis be covered with bandage?

Keep the area clean and dry — It is important to keep the infected area clean and dry. You can shower or bathe normally and pat the area dry with a clean towel. You can use a bandage or gauze to protect the skin if needed. Do not use any antibiotic ointments or creams.

Can cellulitis be purulent?

Purulent infection — Purulent infection refers to presence of a drainable abscess or cellulitis associated with purulent drainage (in the absence of drainable abscess) (algorithm 2).

What is cephalexin 500 mg used for?

Cephalexin is used to treat certain infections caused by bacteria such as pneumonia and other respiratory tract infections; and infections of the bone, skin, ears, , genital, and urinary tract. Cephalexin is in a class of medications called cephalosporin antibiotics. It works by killing bacteria.

What lab tests are done for cellulitis?

The IDSA recommends bloodwork for patients with soft-tissue infection who have signs and symptoms of systemic toxicity; such tests include blood cultures, complete blood cell (CBC) with differential, and levels of creatinine, bicarbonate, creatine phosphokinase, and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Should I wrap my leg if I have cellulitis?

Compression bandaging of the lower leg does not impair microcirculation in patients with cellulitis. This strongly indicates that compression bandaging can play a positive role as supportive treatment in addition to standard antibiotic therapy.

Is it OK to put Neosporin on cellulitis?

Cellulitis can be treated with many different topical agents including Silvadene, Bacitracin and Neosporin to sooth the burning inflamed tissue and help in healing progression.