Supportive measures for lower leg cellulitis encompass both nonpharmacologic interventions and management of predisposing conditions to prevent recurrence.
Nonpharmacologic interventions
- Elevation of the affected area: Elevating the affected area is recommended to shorten the progression of cellulitis
Management of predisposing conditions
- Identification and treatment of predisposing conditions: Predisposing conditions such as edema, obesity, eczema, venous insufficiency, and toe web abnormalities should be identified and treated both during the acute stage of cellulitis and as part of routine patient care
Hygiene practices
- Personal and environmental hygiene: Patients and their contacts should be counseled on personal and environmental hygiene measures, especially in cases of suspected household or interpersonal transmission. This includes keeping draining wounds covered with clean, dry bandages, maintaining good personal hygiene with regular bathing and cleaning of hands, and avoiding the reuse or sharing of personal items that have contacted infected skin
Decolonization strategies
- Decolonization in selected cases: Decolonization strategies, such as nasal decolonization with mupirocin and topical body decolonization regimens with a skin antiseptic solution, may be considered in selected cases if a recurrent skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) develops or ongoing transmission is occurring among household members or other close contacts despite optimizing wound care and hygiene measures
In conclusion, supportive measures for lower leg cellulitis involve a combination of nonpharmacologic interventions, management of predisposing conditions, hygiene practices, and decolonization strategies. These measures aim to manage the acute condition and prevent recurrence.