Prophylaxis for recurrent cellulitis complicating venous and lymphatic insufficiency.

Serious cellulitis, a common acute illness, frequently is associated with underlying venous and lymphatic compromise. The process is easily treated but, when recurrent, is associated with significant morbidity. Local measures, such as support hose and elimination of tinea pedis, have a role in its therapy but do not uniformly prevent recurrence. Prophylactic antibiotic therapy modeled after rheumatic fever prophylaxis can be effective in the prevention of this process.