First line:

Flucloxacillin oral 250-500 mg 6 hourly

If true penicillin / beta-lactam allergy:

Clarithromycin oral 250-500mg 12 hourly

N.B. Clarithromycin should not be prescribed concurrently with ciclosporin, sirolimus or tacrolimus.

If suspected MRSA:

Doxycycline oral 200mg as a STAT dose, followed by 100mg 12 hourly

N.B. In pregnant patients, doxycycline is contraindicated.

Consider surgical site infection if there is spreading cellulitis around the wound, the wound is dehiscing, there is increased swelling or tenderness, or there is worsening or purulent discharge from the wound. If there is any suspicion of a deep infection, the patient should be referred for assessment by a surgeon and consideration for admission.