Inf: Cellulitis and Erysipelas: Free MSRA Podcast

🩺 FREE MSRA PODCAST – Cellulitis & Erysipelas: Don’t Miss the Borders!High-yield, practical, and exam-ready. Your shortcut to mastering skin infections for the MSRA or GP training.🧠 Key Learning Points📌 Definitions• Cellulitis: Common bacterial skin infection (dermis + subcutaneous tissue). Red, hot, swollen, painful—usually lower legs, but can appear anywhere.• Erysipelas: Superficial infection (upper dermis, lymphatics) with sharply defined, raised red border.📌 Spot the Difference• Cellulitis: Diffuse, ill-defined border, deeper• Erysipelas: Raised, sharp, fiery red, more superficial📌 Causes & Microbiology• Strep pyogenes (Group A Strep) & Staph aureus most common• Erysipelas: almost always Group A Strep• Special clues: – Animal bites: Pasteurella multocida – Water: Vibrio vulnificus – Fish tanks: Mycobacterium marinum – Kids: H. influenzae type B📌 Risk Factors• Previous cellulitis, lymphatic damage• Immunosuppression (diabetes, cancer, HIV)• Poor circulation (venous insufficiency, lymphedema, obesity)• Skin barrier breakdown (eczema, wounds, surgery, insect bites)• Lifestyle (IV drug use, alcohol, age, pregnancy)📌 Pathophysiology• Bacteria enter via skin break → inflammation in deeper tissues• May spread via lymphatics (lymphangitis) or bloodstream (sepsis)📌 Differential Diagnosis• Erysipelas, DVT, contact dermatitis, necrotising fasciitis (pain out of proportion), stasis dermatitis, insect bites, thrombophlebitis, gout, septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, erythema nodosum, vasculitis, carcinoma erysipeloides• Ask: vascular, inflammatory, infective, or other?📌 Clinical Features• Cellulitis: Diffuse erythema, warmth, swelling, tenderness, usually lower limb, may have fever/malaise• Erysipelas: Raised, sharply demarcated, shiny red plaque, face or legs; systemic symptoms may come first📌 Red Flags / When to Admit• Rapid progression, severe illness, pain out of proportion, crepitus, suspected necrotising fasciitis• Admission: Severe infection, facial/periorbital, vulnerable patient, significant lymphedema, failed treatment📌 Diagnosis & Investigations• Clinical diagnosis typical• Test if: Atypical, severe, not improving, or search for underlying cause• Labs: Blood cultures, wound swabs, CRP, imaging if deeper infection or bone involved📌 Management (UK guidelines)• Antibiotics: – 1st line: Flucloxacillin – Alternatives: Clarithromycin, erythromycin (pregnancy), doxycycline – Severe: IV (co-amoxiclav, ceftriaxone, clindamycin)• Supportive care: Rest, elevate limb, pain relief, wound care• Treat underlying problems (tinea, ulcers, skin care)• Follow-up: 7–14 days’ antibiotics, review in 7 days (or sooner if worsening)📌 Complications• Abscess, necrosis/gangrene, lymphangitis, chronic lymphedema• Rare but serious: Necrotising fasciitis, osteomyelitis, compartment syndrome, sepsis, toxic shock📌 Prevention• Tackle risk factors (tinea pedis, oedema, skin care, diabetes)• High risk/recurrent: Long-term prophylactic penicillin V or erythromycin📎 More MSRA Cellulitis Resources:📝 Revision Notes: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/cellulitis-revision-notes/🧠 Flashcards: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/cellulitis-flashcards/💬 Accordion Q&A: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/cellulitis-accordion-qa-notes/🚀 Rapid Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/topic/cellulitis-rapid-quiz/🔗 Quiz: https://www.passthemsra.com/quizzes/cellulitis/🎓 Infectious Diseases for the MSRA: https://www.passthemsra.com/courses/infectious-diseases-for-the-msra/#MSRA #Cellulitis #Erysipelas #SkinInfection #MSRARevision #GPTraining #Antibiotics #Strep #Staph #ExamPrep #PassTheMSRA #RevisionPodcast