Skin and soft tissue infection

Leg ulcers / pressure ulcers (see NHSGGC poster for guidance on diabetic foot ulcer)
Antibiotic Therapy (before prescribing, carefully read the Notes / Comments section below)

Send samples and treat only if evidence of clinical infection* is present. Otherwise presence of bacteria reflects colonisation rather than infection.

If antibiotic therapy is required, treat as cellulitis and refer for specialist opinion following clinical review and if judged to be severe.
Notes / Comments

*Signs of clinical infection are: inflammation / redness / cellulitis with at least one of:

  • Increased pain;
  • Purulent exudate;
  • Rapid deterioration of ulcer; or
  • Pyrexia.

If no sign of clinical infection, antibiotics do not improve healing. Bacteria will always be present.

 

Last reviewed February 2018

Page updated January 2021




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