Background: Acute bacterial non-necrotizing cellulitis, or erysipelas, is an acute infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue, characterized by erythema, swelling, warmth and pain. Cellulitis has an incidence of 16.4 to 24.6 per 1000 persons-years [1]. Cellulitis is an acute, painful and potentially serious infection associated with significant morbidity and healthcare costs [2]. In the present study, cellulitis denotes acute, nonsuppurative, superficial skin infection of presumed bacterial origin. Prompt diagnosis and treatment leads to faster recovery and reduces the risk of serious complications and longterm health problems. Supportive nursing measures can ease symptoms and provide comfort during the acute phase. Cellulitis is a widely prevalent condition, especially in a country like India, with the highest population of diabetics. Cellulitis most typically occurs in the leg, and less often in the upper extremity, in the face, or other parts of the body. Around 50% of people who develop cellulitis suffer from longstanding oedema following the infection. Thus reducing oedema is important, as it improves venous return, maintains skin health and reduces the risk of recurrent infection [3]. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to study, establish and compare two treatment modalities namely, Magnesium Sulphate & Glycerin paste dressing versus plain Glycerin dressing for cellulitis in diabetic patients. Methods: The present prospective study was done in the Department of General Surgery, Basaveshwar Teaching and General Hospital, attached to Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College, Kalaburagi, Karnataka. A total of 60 diabetic patients with cellulitis of limbs were divided into 2 groups (Group A- MgSO4+ Glycerin paste dressing, Group B - Plain Glycerin dressing) and were subjected to the above mentioned treatment modalities respectively and followed up, to assess the outcome with respect to improvement in oedema, erythema and pain associated with cellulitis. Results: The average (Mean) number of days required for erythema to resolve in Group A patients – 5.33±1.32 days, while for patients in Group B it was – 19.5±4.12 days, which is statistically significant (p<0.0001). These findings suggest towards anti-inflammatory action/ property of MgSO4+ Glycerin paste dressing. The average(Mean) number of days required for oedema to resolve among Group A patients was – 12.56±2.55 days, while among Group B patients it was – 38.56±9.67 days, which was statistically significant (p<0.0001). These findings re-establish the hygroscopic nature of MgSO4+ Glycerin paste and hence its role in resolving oedema from cellulitis areas. There is very limited evidence showing action of MgSO4 in relieving pain associated with wounds. In our study we found that, the mean duration required for total relief from pain among cellulitis patients, treated with MgSO4+ Glycerin paste dressing was 3.9±1.06 days, as against 15.06±3.15 days needed for patients in plain Glycerin dressing group(p<0.0001). This suggests that MgSO4+ Glycerin paste indeed helps in alleviating pain as against plain Glycerin dressing, in cellulitis. The overall beneficiary effects of MgSO4+ Glycerin paste can be emphasized clearly by comparing the average length of hospital stay for patients- which was 13.76±2.84 days for Group A versus 41.03±10.96 days for Group B. Interpretation & Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that MgSO4+ Glycerin paste dressing is better than plain Glycerin dressing, for reducing oedema in patients with cellulitis. In this study the overall length of hospital stay (LOS) was significantly less for patients treated with MgSO4+ Glycerin paste dressing. The findings of this study are also suggestive of the possible anti-inflammatory action of MgSO4+ Glycerin paste dressing, as evidenced by lesser duration required for resolution of erythema and pain among cellulitis patients treated with this modality.

Keywords: Cellulitis; Diabetes Mellitus; Magnesium Sulphate and Glycerin paste; Oedema; Erythema.