Guidelines
Diagnostic Considerations

Diagnostic Considerations

Diagnostic Considerations

Acute, unilateral, spreading area of erythema

Characterized by heat, pain/tenderness, and swelling

Superficial skin swabs are not recommended for diagnosis

Blood cultures are recommended if systemic symptoms are present

  • Charcot foot (neuropathic arthropathy)
  • Deep vein thrombosis
  • Erythema migrans (Lyme disease)
  • Gout
  • Lymphedema
  • Venous stasis dermatitis

Rapidly identify complicated skin and soft tissue infection involving:

  • Animal or human bites
  • Immunosuppression, including asplenia
  • Loss of sensation in the affected area
  • Necrosis, hemorrhagic bullae, crepitus
  • Rapid onset of severe pain, especially if out of proportion to clinical findings
  • Rapid progression despite antibiotic use
  • Significant periorbital involvement