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Cellulitis - Prevention

Alternative Names

Skin infection - bacterial

Prevention:

Protect your skin by:

  • Keeping your skin moist with lotions or ointments to prevent cracking
  • Wearing shoes that fit well and provide enough room for your feet
  • Learning how to trim your nails to avoid harming the skin around them
  • Wearing appropriate protective equipment when participating in work or sports

Whenever you have a break in the skin:

  • Clean the break carefully with soap and water. Apply an antibiotic cream or ointment every day.
  • Cover with a bandage and change it every day until a scab forms.
  • Watch for redness, pain, drainage, or other signs of infection.
  • Reviewed last on: 5/13/2011
  • Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine. Kevin Berman, MD, PhD, Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Disease, Atlanta, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Habif TP, ed. Clinical Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009; chap 9.

Mandell GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R, eds. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2009:chap 90.

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