|
Antibiotic treatment is the only way to battle
this potentially life-threatening infection. Mild to moderate
cellulitis can be treated with the following antibiotics taken every
four to eight hours by mouth:
- penicillins (Bicillin, Wycillin, Pen Vee, V-Cillin)
- erythromycin (E-Mycin, Ery-Tab)
- cephalexin (Biocef, Keflex)
- cloxacillin (Tegopen)
Other medications may be recommended, such as
acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) to relieve pain,
and aspirin to decrease fever.
A normally healthy person is usually not
hospitalized for mild or moderate cellulitis. General treatment
measures include elevation of the infected area, rest, and
application of warm, moist compresses to the infected area. The
doctor will want to see the patient again to make sure that the
antibiotic treatment is effective in stopping the infection.
Persons at high risk for severe cellulitis will
probably be hospitalized for treatment and monitoring. Antibiotics
may be given intravenously to patients with severe cellulitis.
Complications such as deep infection, or bone or joint infections,
might require surgical drainage and a longer course of antibiotic
treatment. Extensive tissue destruction may require plastic surgery
to repair. In cases of orbital cellulitis caused by a sinus
infection, surgery may be required to drain the sinuses. |
