There are many dermatologic conditions that can be strikingly similar to cellulitis, especially on first presentation to an Emergency Physician. While some other diagnoses are more chronic and indolent, others are life-threatening and crucial for the Emergency physician to diagnose. Distinguishing between cellulitis and other skin conditions can lead to a decrease in antibiotics use and thus resistance as well as delays in treatment of alternate, and most importantly, deadly diagnosis.
Cellulitis- Cellulitis is an acute bacterial infection causing inflammation of the epidermis, dermis and the underlying subcutaneous tissue. Proximal streaking of the skin can be seen when the infection is spread through the lymphatic tissues and is a very …show more content…
It can be differentiated from more common forms of cellulitis as the rash can have a characteristic blue-red-purple appearance. Other uncommon forms of cellulitis are Vibrio Vulnificus and Aeromonas Hydrophila, both of which are water-related organisms. A. hydrophila should be suspected with a proper history of exposure to fresh water, if treatment for streptococcal cellulitis fails, and if there are bullae and abscesses with foul smelling exudates on physical exam. V. Vulnificus occus should be suspected if there was an exposure to salt water on history, along with physical exam findings of large bullae and vesicles. In more aggressive and serious stages, it can progress to myositis and appear similar to gas …show more content…
It is a complication of long standing chronic venous stasis. Chronic venous stasis is most commonly a result of age-relate valvular insufficiency, however surgery, previous DVT’s, and traumatic injury can also be a cause of venous injury and stasis dermatitis. Venous insufficiency leads to edema and extravasation of blood cels which can result in decreased blood flow to the tissues. The presentation of a patient with stasis dermatitis they often have non-tender, erythematous legs with areas of hyperpigmentation and scaling that are swollen bilaterally and this is has usually been going on for more than several months to years. Secondary infections of dermatitis are not uncommon, and common complications include venous stasis ulcers, lipodermatosclerosis and cellulitis, so repeat physical exams and follow up are both important to diagnosis and
Cellulitis- Cellulitis is an acute bacterial infection causing inflammation of the epidermis, dermis and the underlying subcutaneous tissue. Proximal streaking of the skin can be seen when the infection is spread through the lymphatic tissues and is a very …show more content…
It can be differentiated from more common forms of cellulitis as the rash can have a characteristic blue-red-purple appearance. Other uncommon forms of cellulitis are Vibrio Vulnificus and Aeromonas Hydrophila, both of which are water-related organisms. A. hydrophila should be suspected with a proper history of exposure to fresh water, if treatment for streptococcal cellulitis fails, and if there are bullae and abscesses with foul smelling exudates on physical exam. V. Vulnificus occus should be suspected if there was an exposure to salt water on history, along with physical exam findings of large bullae and vesicles. In more aggressive and serious stages, it can progress to myositis and appear similar to gas …show more content…
It is a complication of long standing chronic venous stasis. Chronic venous stasis is most commonly a result of age-relate valvular insufficiency, however surgery, previous DVT’s, and traumatic injury can also be a cause of venous injury and stasis dermatitis. Venous insufficiency leads to edema and extravasation of blood cels which can result in decreased blood flow to the tissues. The presentation of a patient with stasis dermatitis they often have non-tender, erythematous legs with areas of hyperpigmentation and scaling that are swollen bilaterally and this is has usually been going on for more than several months to years. Secondary infections of dermatitis are not uncommon, and common complications include venous stasis ulcers, lipodermatosclerosis and cellulitis, so repeat physical exams and follow up are both important to diagnosis and