Effect of Non Pharmacological Interventions on Pain and Skin Erythema Associated with Cellulitis

Background: in this study the researcher describes effect of applying non
pharmacological interventions including cold application and on pain and skin erythema
associated with cellulitis. Purpose: this study aimed to evaluate the effect of non
pharmacological interventions on pain and skin erythema associated with cellulitis. Design:
Experimental design was utilized in this study, at male and female medical departments in the
New General Mansoura hospital, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. Subjects: A purposive sample
included (64) patients diagnosed of cellulits, admitted to inpatient ward and willing to
participate included in the study.Those patients are randomly divided into two equal groups
(study& control); study group used non pharmacological intervention for 20 minutes two times
per day for 5 consecutive days plus pharmacological treatment, while control group used
pharmacological treatment only. Tools: Two tools were used to assess pain and skin erythema
associated with celluitis. Visual Analog Scale (VAS), which is utilized to detect pain level.
While skin erythema (inflammation regression) was assessed by measuring level of superior
edge moved down by labeling superior edge by ink pen before starting study and after
completing the study to calculate shrinked area (inflammation regression). Results: There
was significant reduction regarding pain level and skin erythema (inflammation) surface area
among study group compared to control group. Conclusion/implication for future practice:
non pharmacological interventions could be combined with pharmacological treatment to
reduce cellulitis pain and skin erythema. Recommendations: educational program to nursing
staff about non pharmacological interventions as nurses can aid in pain management after good
training by applying non pharmacological interventions for patients who have no
contraindications.