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A single episode of leg cellulitis predisposes the affected patient to a substantial risk for a second attack. Investigators from Minnesota conducted a retrospective study of risk factors in 209 patients with a first cellulitis episode.
Within 2 years, 35 (17%) had a recurrence at the same anatomic site. In a multivariate analysis, the strongest predictor of recurrence was involvement of the tibial area compared with the foot or femoral areas. Two other factors also had an important effect on risk for recurrence: history of cancer and the presence of dermatitis in the ipsilateral lower extremity at the time of the initial infection. To determine the probability of a second attack, the investigators used a simple scoring system that allotted …