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Review
. 2022 Aug 10:15:6561-6572.
doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S326459. eCollection 2022.

Recurrent Cellulitis: Who is at Risk and How Effective is Antibiotic Prophylaxis?

Bin S Ong  1   2 , Ravindra Dotel  1 , Vincent Jiu Jong Ngian  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Recurrent Cellulitis: Who is at Risk and How Effective is Antibiotic Prophylaxis?

Bin S Ong et al. Int J Gen Med. .

Abstract

Recurrent cellulitis following successful treatment is common and prevention should be a major component in the management of cellulitis. Conditions that increase the risk of recurrence include chronic edema, venous disease, dermatomycosis and obesity. These risk factors should be actively managed as further episodes of cellulitis increases the risk of recurrence. The role of non-antibiotic measures is important and should be first-line in prevention. Antibiotic prophylaxis is effective, but its role is limited to non-purulent cellulitis where risk factors are appropriately managed.

Keywords: antibiotic prophylaxis; cellulitis; edema; recurrence; risk factors; venous insufficiency.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

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