Treatment of Lymphoedema

Source: Treatment of Cellulitis

ACUTE ATTACK OF CELLULITIS

A decision whether hospital admission is indicated should be based on the level of systemic upset:

  • signs of septicaemia (hypotension, tachycardia, severe pyrexia, confusion, tachypnoea or vomiting) are an absolute indication for admission;
  • continuing or deteriorating systemic signs, with or without deteriorating local signs, after 48hrs of antibiotic treatment;
  • unresolving or deteriorating local signs, with or without systemic signs, despite trials of first and second line antibiotics.

Management at home

It is essential that the patient is closely monitored, ideally by the GP. To establish a baseline to monitor progress, record:

  • extent and severity of rash – if possible, mark and date the edge of the erythema (may be difficult in lymphoedema as the rash is often blotchy);
  • level of systemic upset;
  • CRP/ESR/white cell count;
  • Microbiology of any cuts or breaks in the skin before antibiotics are started.

Oral amoxicillin 500mg 8-hourly is the treatment of choice. If there is any evidence of Staph aureus infection e.g. folliculitis, pus formation or crusted dermatitis, then flucloxacillin 500mg 6-hourly should be prescribed in addition.

Patients who are allergic to penicillin should be prescribed clindamycin as in 1.2.4.

If there is no or a poor response (unresolving inflammation or development of systemic symptoms) to oral amoxicillin after 48 hours, then clindamycin 300mg 6-hourly should be substituted as second line oral treatment.

Antibiotics should be continued until all signs of acute inflammation have resolved; this often means taking antibiotics for 1-2 months and the course of antibiotics should be for no less than 14 days from the time a definite clinical response is observed.

Bed rest and elevation of the affected part is essential. Avoid compression garments during the acute attack.

Appropriate analgesia, e.g. paracetamol, as necessary.

When the inflammation is sufficiently reduced, wearing of compression garments and normal levels of exercise may resume. A return to work depends on the patient’s occupation, and there being no deterioration when normal levels of exercise are established.

Management in hospital

Choice of antibiotics in hospital is largely dependent on local rules. Recommended first line treatment is amoxicillin 2g 8-hourly iv plus gentamicin 5mg/kg iv daily; dose to be adjusted according to renal function and assay. Benzylpenicillin 1.2-2.4g 6-hourly may be preferred to the amoxicillin. Convention is to use a combination of benzylpenicillin and flucloxacillin, however, doubts about the role of Staph aureus in cellulitis make this combination less certain.

If there is no or a poor response to this combination after 48 hours, clindamycin 600mg 6-hourly iv should be substituted for both.

Penicillin allergic patients should receive clindamycin as in 1.3.2.

A switch to oral treatment with amoxicillin 500mg 8-hourly, or clindamycin 300mg 6-hourly should not be made before:

  • Temperature down for 48 hours;
  • Inflammation much resolved;
  • CRP falling.
    • then continue as in 1.2.5.

Antibiotics “in case”

The risk of further attacks of cellulitis in lymphoedema is high. It is recommended that patients who have had an attack of cellulitis should carry a two week supply of antibiotics with them particularly when away from home for any length of time, e.g. on holiday. Amoxicillin 500mg tds is recommended or, for those allergic to penicillin, clindamycin 300mg 6-hourly. Antibiotics should be started immediately familiar symptoms of cellulitis start but a medical opinion should be sought as soon as possible.

RECURRENT CELLULITIS

Antibiotic prophylaxis should be offered to patients who have two or more attacks of cellulitis per year. Penicillin V 500mg daily (1g if weight >75kg) should be the first choice. The dose may be reduced to 250mg daily after one year of successful prophylaxis. Prophylaxis may need to be life-long if relapse occurs when antibiotics are discontinued after a two year period of successful prophylaxis. For those allergic to penicillin, erythromycin 250mg daily is recommended; if this is not tolerated then clarithromycin 250mg daily is an alternative.

There is evidence that decongestive lymphatic therapy reduces the frequency of attacks. Control of the swelling is therefore important. Patients undergoing intensive DLT and known to have suffered cellulitis in the past may benefit from antibiotic cover in case cellulitis is provoked. Oral penicillin V 500mg daily is recommended during the period of the intensive treatment. For those allergic to penicillin, erythromycin is advised (as in 2.1).

Apart from the swelling other risk factors for recurrent cellulitis including cracked, macerated, inter-digital skin, dermatitis, open wounds including leg ulcers, and weeping lymphangiectasia (leaking lymph blisters on the skin surface) should be treated. Treatment of inter-digital fungus should be with application of terbinafine cream daily for two weeks.

Those patients in whom first line antibiotic prophylaxis fails may need alternative strategies including trials of prophylactic clindamycin 150mg daily or clarithromycin 250mg daily. Unusual circumstances, e.g. animal bite or lick, preceding an attack, or a failure of infection to respond to above recommendations, should prompt discussions with local microbiologist.