Patient/caregiver was educated on prevention and control of cellulitis as follows:
- Individuals with history of chronic inflammatory skin conditions, such as, eczema, dermatitis, and shingles present with broken skin lesions that can potentially get infected and present with cellulitis. Observing recommended measures to keep the skin inflammation under control can help prevent episodes of cellulitis
- Compromised blood supply in individuals with chronic edema, lymphedema, uncontrolled diabetes, and chronic smoking can contribute to poor infection control & healing of injured skin tissue, leading to cellulitis.
- Individuals with history of diffuse edema and lymphedema can present with compromised blood circulation and blocked fluid drainage in the affected part. This can result in oozing of fluid onto the skin, inflammation leading to dermatitis & cellulitis. Massage and exercises to drain the blocked fluid, application of compression garments, and elevation of the affected body part for gravity to help the drainage can assist with avoiding any fluid back-up, thus preventing development of dermatitis and cellulitis changes.
