Wound Care Plan

Cellulitis – with pitting oedema and no blisters

Last Updated
19 May 2025
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Quick Overview

Reference ID Number: TWS-WCP-68

Categories

Cellulitis

Scope of Practice (ScOP) Designation

Medical Officer,Registered Nurse (RN),Enrolled Nurse (EN)

Treatment Goals

Provide skin integrity support to the limbs to reduce further skin breakages

Aim of Dressing

To providi a moist wound environment to broken skin areas whilst slowly shunting the pitting oedema from the legs and allowing the antibiotics to take effect.

Frequency of Dressing Change

2 Days(s) Min - 7 Days (Max)

Consult(s) / Diagnostic Test Required

Arterial and Venous Duplex

References

Shopping List

Dressing Pack (Small),Normal Saline,Inadine (10cm x10cm),Mepilex Border Flex Lite (10cm x 10cm),Urgo K2 lite (20mmhg compression) – 25-32cm
Page Table of Contents

    Product Selection Disclaimer:

    The wound care products being currently used are a suggestion ONLY. They do not take into account your patient's individual needs which you must assess. No funding from medical companies has been provided and wound care products are chosen on their merit and what is available on the NSW Health State Wound Care Contract. Where an exact brand name product is not available we suggest you review the alternative tab or use another wound care product from its category eg. Hydrofibre

    Photo Gallery

    Care Plans

    Clean the legs

    Patient has well developed lower limb cellulitis with pitting oedema in both legs and requires to sit out of bed rather then have their legs elevated in bed.

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    Step 1

    Clean their legs

    If possible get the patient into the shower and clean their legs well using a Ph neutral soap
    Products Used
    Step 2

    Apply inadine

    Clean the wound with normal saline and apply inadine (2 layers)
    Products Used
    Step 3

    Apply mepilex border

    Apply mepilex border to secure any exudate from the wound allowing for a greater wear time of the compression dressing
    Products Used
    Step 4

    Wrap the legs

    Using a 50% overlap and making the printed oval shapes on the bandages turn to ovals wrap the legs with the soft cotton bandage and then the orange coloured bandage
    Products Used

    Acute Management (B)

    If patient is unable to tolerate compression bandages

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    Alternative step

    Acute management (a)

    Complete all steps in 'Acute management (a)' except 'Step 4'
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    Step 4

    Measure for tubular bandage

    Measure the patient's calf, ankle and forefoot and choose appropriately sized tubular bandage to match the patient's circumfrences. You will need between 2 and 3 differences. Each piece should overlap the next piece by approx. 2cm. If the patient can tolerate one layer apply another layer in the exact same manner.
    Products Used