From the Guidelines
Cellulitis can be classified into several types, including periorbital, facial, perianal, buccal, orbital, and extremity cellulitis, as well as erysipelas, necrotizing fasciitis, and perianal streptococcal cellulitis. The main types of cellulitis are:
- Periorbital cellulitis, affecting the eyelid and tissues around the eye
- Facial cellulitis, on the face
- Perianal cellulitis, around the anus
- Buccal cellulitis, on the cheek
- Orbital cellulitis, affecting tissues within the eye socket
- Extremity cellulitis, on arms or legs Other specialized forms include:
- Erysipelas, a superficial infection with well-defined borders
- Necrotizing fasciitis, a severe, rapidly spreading infection affecting deeper tissues
- Perianal streptococcal cellulitis, particularly in children According to the 2018 WSES/SIS-E consensus conference 1, cellulitis is an acute bacterial infection of the dermis and the subcutaneous tissue that most commonly affects the lower extremities. The classification of cellulitis can also be based on the severity of local and systemic signs, and the presence or absence of comorbid conditions, as proposed by Eron et al. in 2003 1. Treatment typically involves antibiotics, with mild cases often managed with oral medications, and severe cases requiring intravenous antibiotics or surgical intervention, as recommended by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) in 2014 1. The type of cellulitis determines the specific treatment approach, with some forms requiring surgical intervention, particularly necrotizing fasciitis, as noted in the 2018 WSES/SIS-E consensus conference 1. Most cellulitis is caused by Streptococcus or Staphylococcus bacteria entering through breaks in the skin, with treatment targeting these common pathogens while considering local antibiotic resistance patterns, as discussed in the 2014 IDSA guidelines 1.
From the Research
Types of Cellulitis
There are several types of cellulitis, including:
- Orbital cellulitis: an infection of the eyelid and surrounding tissues 2
- Periorbital cellulitis: an infection of the skin around the eye 2
- Facial cellulitis: an infection of the skin on the face 2
- Lower extremity cellulitis: an infection of the skin on the legs or feet, often associated with venous insufficiency, eczema, or other conditions 3
- Abdominal cellulitis: an infection of the skin on the abdomen 2
Classification of Cellulitis
Cellulitis can be classified based on the severity of the infection, with mild, moderate, and severe forms 4, 2
- Mild cellulitis: characterized by localized erythema, swelling, and warmth, often treated with oral antibiotics 5
- Moderate cellulitis: characterized by more extensive erythema, swelling, and warmth, often requiring intravenous antibiotics 2
- Severe cellulitis: characterized by systemic signs of infection, such as fever, chills, and hypotension, often requiring hospitalization and aggressive antibiotic therapy 4, 2
Special Considerations
Certain types of cellulitis require special consideration, such as: