Table 2 Inclusion and exclusion criteria

>16 years of age

Any cellulitis that requires intravenous antibiotic

Cellulitis of any body area excluding the perineum, that is treatable with oral antibiotic as an outpatient and in whom either combination of antibiotic is likely to produce a clinical response

Any cellulitis worse than Eron Stage 2 cellulitis

Any two of the following signs:

Pregnancy

   1. Erythema

Lactation

   2. Warmth

Hypersensitivity to penicillin

   3. Tenderness

Chronic skin condition at the site of infection

   4. Swelling

Infection involving prosthetic material

   5. Regional lymphadenopathy

Thermal injury

Fluency in written and spoken English

Acne vulgaris

Perineal cellulitis (high risk of anaerobic infection)

Fungal infection of scalp or nail bed

Immunodeficiency

Severe renal or hepatic dysfunction

Concomitant treatment with oral, parenteral or topical antibiotics at infection site

Patients taking systemic corticosteroids at a dose exceeding 15 mg (or equivalent) per day for more than 7 days

Refusal or inability to give informed consent