Cellulitis physical examination: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
Cellulitis is mainly a clinical diagnosis based upon a patient's history, symptoms, and physical examination. Physical exam indications such as warmthness of the affected area, [[erythema]], and swelling of nearby nodes can clinch the diagnosis. | Cellulitis is mainly a clinical diagnosis based upon a patient's history, symptoms, and physical examination. Physical exam indications such as warmthness of the affected area, [[erythema]], and swelling of nearby nodes can clinch the diagnosis. | ||
The health care provider will perform a physical exam <ref> http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000855.htm</ref>. This may reveal: | |||
==Skin== | ==Skin== | ||
Revision as of 16:46, 24 July 2012
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S.
Overview
Cellulitis is mainly a clinical diagnosis based upon a patient's history, symptoms, and physical examination. Physical exam indications such as warmthness of the affected area, erythema, and swelling of nearby nodes can clinch the diagnosis.
The health care provider will perform a physical exam [1]. This may reveal:
Skin
- Redness, warmth, and swelling of the skin
- Possible drainage, if there is an infection
- Swollen glands (lymph nodes) near the affected area
- Your health care provider may mark the edges of the redness with a pen, to see if the redness goes past the marked border over the next several days.
Having hypotension and increased rate are signs of systemic involvement, which require admission and continuous monitoring.
- Tests that may be done:
- Blood culture
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Culture of any fluid or material inside the affected area