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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Can Cellulitis Be Treated?

My father is 65 years.He has cellulites and was treated at saifee hospital.His wound is healing but when he was in hospital his swelling had gone after coming back home it has come back and so we consulted the doctor regarding this and he said it s because of his weight and that swelling ll remain .My dad weight is137 kg so ll physiotherapy ll help in reducing the swelling .His wound still have to heal
posted on Tue, 25 Jul 2017
Twitter Thu, 26 Oct 2017 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 27 Oct 2017 Last reviewed on
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Cellulitis is bacterial infection and inflammation of the soft tissues, especially the skin and subcutaneous tissues. The bacteria, in your father's case would have entered through the wound, which has yet to heal. One of the important factors in early resolution of the infection is as much rest to the lower limb as is possible. He should limit his ambulation to minimum required. When he is in bed, or when seated , he should keep his leg elevated on a pillow, so that the swelling will reduce and pain and discomfort will be relieved. It is possible that when he was discharged from hospital, the bacterial infection had not completely been eradicated, hence the recurrence of swelling. It is always good to take a swab or tissue from the wound, send it for bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity, and give him I.V or oral culture specific antibiotics, till complete eradication of infection. If he never had swelling of the limb before this episode of inflammation, recurrence of swelling is highly improbable due to his weight. Physiotherapy in an inflamed limb should not be done, as it can worsen the condition. He should consult a general surgeon, and if diagnosed ans still having cellulitis, he should carry out this management till complete resolution of the bacterial infection.
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How Can Cellulitis Be Treated?

Cellulitis is bacterial infection and inflammation of the soft tissues, especially the skin and subcutaneous tissues. The bacteria, in your father s case would have entered through the wound, which has yet to heal. One of the important factors in early resolution of the infection is as much rest to the lower limb as is possible. He should limit his ambulation to minimum required. When he is in bed, or when seated , he should keep his leg elevated on a pillow, so that the swelling will reduce and pain and discomfort will be relieved. It is possible that when he was discharged from hospital, the bacterial infection had not completely been eradicated, hence the recurrence of swelling. It is always good to take a swab or tissue from the wound, send it for bacterial culture and antibiotic sensitivity, and give him I.V or oral culture specific antibiotics, till complete eradication of infection. If he never had swelling of the limb before this episode of inflammation, recurrence of swelling is highly improbable due to his weight. Physiotherapy in an inflamed limb should not be done, as it can worsen the condition. He should consult a general surgeon, and if diagnosed ans still having cellulitis, he should carry out this management till complete resolution of the bacterial infection.