topic Re: Cellulitis in Wellness

Cellulitis

LilacTree — Fri, 12 May 2017 14:06:54 GMT

I have already researched it on Google, saw photos of it, and printed out information. I will be going to my PCP's office on Monday for my annual Medicare checkup and am going to ask if I can see my doc for just a few minutes to look at my leg.

My purpose here is to ask if any of you have experienced cellulitis and how you are doing since it was (hopefully) treated and resolved.

It's on the back of my ankle and started out as a small bruise which I looked at once and then forgot about, since I have bruises all the time. However, it's been many weeks, if not several months since I looked at it.

I noticed in my sit-down shower yesterday that not only is it still there, but it has grown considerably, has specks in it, is sore when I press on it. It's not really any specific color either, but a few round red spots with a bluish background, and is about an inch in diameter top to bottom and somewhat uneven. It is certainly not healing.

Obviously I can wait until Monday when (hopefully) my PCP will take a minute or two to look at it. If I tried to make an appointment, it would be weeks.

Sometimes someone here has had experience with a medical issue and can tell their story.

Re: Cellulitis

poppinfresh — Fri, 12 May 2017 14:30:19 GMT

A few years ago I noticed my right ear looked much bigger than my left. I had vague symptoms..a fever and achy bones, headed to the doctors. It was cellulitis. I was given strong antibiotics to take orally for 3 weeks, and a shot. Within 2 days, the entire right side of my face, eye and ear was swollen beyond belief. I ended up in the emergency room and they gave me strong iv antibiotics plus an rx. It took almost a month for the swelling in my face and ear to go down, I lost hair and I have an eternal bag under my right eye from the swelling. Cellulitis is nothing to mess around with! I have not had any problems with it since then.

Re: Cellulitis

dex — Fri, 12 May 2017 14:31:57 GMT

@LilacTree I don't have any experience with that but I sure do hope that your doc takes a look and gives you some treatment.I wonder if you have circulation problems?

Re: Cellulitis

Trinity11 — Fri, 12 May 2017 14:33:45 GMT

Good Morning.... @LilacTree. I would call an Uber and have them take you to an Emergi-Med/Urgent Care setting and have one of the physicians take a look at it. It can be quite dangerous because the infection can become systemic if you have a compromised immune system. I would not wait on it. My dad had to be hospitalized with it and he was there for a week getting intravenous antibiotics. It was from a very small cut on his leg that he had overlooked.

The great thing about the new emergency medical places that have popped up is that now you never have to wait to get something seen. The physicians I have seen have been great in diagnosing if I can't get in for a few days to see my doctor.

Good Luck and keep us posted.

Re: Cellulitis

Quse — Fri, 12 May 2017 14:40:23 GMT

If it IS cellulitis, you need to go to the ER now. It can get out of hand rapidly....

Re: Cellulitis

queendiva — Fri, 12 May 2017 14:43:22 GMT

@LilacTree: Please do not wait until Monday to be seen. Go to an Urgent Care facility TODAY. You need to have the problem properly diagnosed. If it is cellulitis you need to get on an antibiotic right away. Do not delay. another day! I got cellulitis as a result of a bee sting. I waited and it became worse quickly! Cleared up for me on antibiotic with no lasting ill efects.

Re: Cellulitis

Tricolor — Fri, 12 May 2017 15:02:35 GMT

@LilacTree, I worked in medicine for 20 years plus my Mom had a pretty severe case last year. My recommendation is not to wait until Monday. Go to the ER ASAP. It is something that should not be left unattended for a period of time. Wishing you the best. Another thing is once you get this flare-ups can occur very easily.

Re: Cellulitis

LilacTree — Fri, 12 May 2017 15:20:15 GMT

Oh my! I will wake my daughter and get dressed. I was looking up vasculitis as well, which skin lesions are very similar. However, all the photos I looked at were obviously very advanced disease.

Thank you everyone . . . I will keep you posted.

Re: Cellulitis

Nomorebirthdays — Fri, 12 May 2017 15:21:12 GMT

@LilacTree nurse here, that's a very comman area to developers cellulitis. Is it fire red, swollen and feel hot to touch? Given your age and the circulation problems that come with age I would go to dr. Before Monday. Clot formation is dangerous in lower leg and could dislodge and travel to heart or lung. Do not rub it. Warm wet compress until you see the doctor, again go today. Elevate your leg.

Re: Cellulitis

janeec — Fri, 12 May 2017 15:54:18 GMT

Common clinical symptoms are red, warm to touch, may be hard, definite line of demarcation, spreading, perhaps a fever. You must see a physician. Most likely anitbiotics will be prescribed, and warm compresses over the area at least 4 times a day for a minimum of 20 minutes. It needs to be treated as soon as possible.

Hope you feel better.

Re: Cellulitis

SilleeMee — Fri, 12 May 2017 16:02:57 GMT

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection which can lead to sepsis if not treated properly. Toxic shock syndrome has been associated with cellulitis. Cellulitis should be treated promptly by a medical professional.

If you are delaying treatment and the infected area is oozing or has open sores, I would soak in a hot tub of water right away until you get to a doctor. The hot water will help pull out toxins from the infected area.

My husband had an ingrown hair on his behind that turned into a raging infection with fever and chills. I told him to soak in a hot tub of water and I took him to the ER immediately afterwards. The doctor there told me that it was a good thing I brought him in when I did because he was going into shock....from an ingrown hair!

Re: Cellulitis

hckynut — Fri, 12 May 2017 17:28:15 GMT

Hi my friend @LilacTree

Yes, I unfortunately have experience with cellulitis. When I got bit on my left hand by one of our felines, the next day it had swelled up bad. I called my doctor, but he was not in the office that Friday. I then called my nephew-in-law, who practices in this same group. He squeezed me into his schedule.

Shortening the story. Got very sick in his office and about passed out. Sent had nurses take me directly to the ER, where I was immediately put on IV antibiotics. I was admitted and spent 6 days in the hospital on different types of IV antibiotics. Was sick/very weak, and could not even open my hand.

That is when our basement flooded with sewage and destroyed our whole finished basement. My $40,000 worth of electronics/$20,000 of furniture, and $12,000 worth of my exercise equipment. Plus precious record albums/hockey gear, and close to $100,000 total.

It took me close to 2 weeks before I could even attempt to use my hand, much less do anything with it. I was too weak to even walk up the basement stairs. I went down to view the damage and it took every bit of strength I had, going 1 step at a time, pulling myself up each step with the banister.

It took me months before I got even a little of my strength back. That is when I began my quest to get back my fitness, and I am still working to this day trying to recover from that bout with cellulitis. My nephew-in-law told me if I had not come in when I did, things would/could have been much worse.

My cellulitis was nothing like you are describing. Mine was an open wound that I cleaned up and wrapped in ice right after I got bitten. Been bit my many felines over the decades, but never had more than a danged sore "whatever", and a little swelling after all of them.

I got bit in late evening on a Thursday night, and by morning my left hand was half again bigger than my right hand. That is when I called and got in to see my nephew-in-law, and subsequently started what ended up being a long and what seemed to be never ending, recovery of even a semblance of strength.

As you have seen me type here many times, I never give advice. That is my true story of my bout with cellulitis, and NO, we still have my furry one, Jasper. Everyone that hears this story says "did you get rid of that cat"? No way/no how, Jasper is a part of our family and will always be. I love that little guy.

That is a very short version of my story my friend. Not sure it will tell you much other than I went through he!! With cellulitis, but I am now/today able to say: I am FEELING GREAT, and I have not been able to say that for several years now. No more "I'm still breathing/could be worse/a little better", replies when asked.

I really hope this is not your diagnosis, and if so, it is nothing close to my experiences with cellulitis. My very best wishes to you with all of the things you are dealing with simultaneously. If anything I can do will help you, "shout me out", and I will no whatever I can for you.

JOhn

Re: Cellulitis

LilacTree — Fri, 12 May 2017 18:48:10 GMT

We are back! The center was almost empty, and I saw a nurse practitioner. He examined the area and said it didn't look like cellulitis to him, just a slightly abnormal looking bruise. Therefore, he did not prescribe any med. He said he is certain I will be okay until Monday when I see my doctor. He gave me a form he filled out to give to her.

I am not sure (of course) because I read that cellulitis is symmetrical and I do have a small bruise-like lesion in exactly the same place on the back of my left ankle that looks just like this one did when I first saw it.

My daughter had some tea tree oil that we put on it and I will apply that twice a day over the weekend.

I left a message at my doctor's office that I would like to see her for a few minutes when I am there Monday for the Medicare evaluation.

Thank you all for your very helpful posts. I appreciate you all so much.

Re: Cellulitis

LilacTree — Fri, 12 May 2017 19:01:07 GMT

@hckynut wrote:

Hi my friend @LilacTree

Yes, I unfortunately have experience with cellulitis. When I got bit on my left hand by one of our felines, the next day it had swelled up bad. I called my doctor, but he was not in the office that Friday. I then called my nephew-in-law, who practices in this same group. He squeezed me into his schedule.

Shortening the story. Got very sick in his office and about passed out. Sent had nurses take me directly to the ER, where I was immediately put on IV antibiotics. I was admitted and spent 6 days in the hospital on different types of IV antibiotics. Was sick/very weak, and could not even open my hand.

That is when our basement flooded with sewage and destroyed our whole finished basement. My $40,000 worth of electronics/$20,000 of furniture, and $12,000 worth of my exercise equipment. Plus precious record albums/hockey gear, and close to $100,000 total.

It took me close to 2 weeks before I could even attempt to use my hand, much less do anything with it. I was too weak to even walk up the basement stairs. I went down to view the damage and it took every bit of strength I had, going 1 step at a time, pulling myself up each step with the banister.

It took me months before I got even a little of my strength back. That is when I began my quest to get back my fitness, and I am still working to this day trying to recover from that bout with cellulitis. My nephew-in-law told me if I had not come in when I did, things would/could have been much worse.

My cellulitis was nothing like you are describing. Mine was an open wound that I cleaned up and wrapped in ice right after I got bitten. Been bit my many felines over the decades, but never had more than a danged sore "whatever", and a little swelling after all of them.

I got bit in late evening on a Thursday night, and by morning my left hand was half again bigger than my right hand. That is when I called and got in to see my nephew-in-law, and subsequently started what ended up being a long and what seemed to be never ending, recovery of even a semblance of strength.

As you have seen me type here many times, I never give advice. That is my true story of my bout with cellulitis, and NO, we still have my furry one, Jasper. Everyone that hears this story says "did you get rid of that cat"? No way/no how, Jasper is a part of our family and will always be. I love that little guy.

That is a very short version of my story my friend. Not sure it will tell you much other than I went through he!! With cellulitis, but I am now/today able to say: I am FEELING GREAT, and I have not been able to say that for several years now. No more "I'm still breathing/could be worse/a little better", replies when asked.

I really hope this is not your diagnosis, and if so, it is nothing close to my experiences with cellulitis. My very best wishes to you with all of the things you are dealing with simultaneously. If anything I can do will help you, "shout me out", and I will no whatever I can for you.

JOhn

@hckynut

OMG John . . . what you went through!! What I have is nothing like that, and I wasn't bitten, nor can I remember even injuring my ankle. I do not have an open wound nor is the area swollen. It does smart a little when I press on it, but I only did that once or twice when I noticed it and will not do it again. As I said, I have had this for many weeks.

I am convinced that my long-standing autoimmune issues which at first only impacted my joints with dreadful pain, and which I accept I will always have . . . are now invading my internal organs. If this does turn out to be cellulitis (or vasculitis) . . . well then I suppose I will just get sicker.

I loved seeing you write "I AM FEELING GREAT!" How wonderful for you. You deserve it, for sure. ~Ford

Re: Cellulitis

LilacTree — Fri, 12 May 2017 19:07:20 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection which can lead to sepsis if not treated properly. Toxic shock syndrome has been associated with cellulitis. Cellulitis should be treated promptly by a medical professional.

If you are delaying treatment and the infected area is oozing or has open sores, I would soak in a hot tub of water right away until you get to a doctor. The hot water will help pull out toxins from the infected area.

My husband had an ingrown hair on his behind that turned into a raging infection with fever and chills. I told him to soak in a hot tub of water and I took him to the ER immediately afterwards. The doctor there told me that it was a good thing I brought him in when I did because he was going into shock....from an ingrown hair!

@SilleeMee

As I told John, this is not an open sore and there is no oozing. It doesn't even seem to be that close to the surface (which may or may not be a good thing). It is not red, nor swollen and is not painful (a little sore when I pressed on it, which I am not going to do again).

Re: Cellulitis

LilacTree — Fri, 12 May 2017 19:15:09 GMT

@janeec wrote:
Common clinical symptoms are red, warm to touch, may be hard, definite line of demarcation, spreading, perhaps a fever. You must see a physician. Most likely anitbiotics will be prescribed, and warm compresses over the area at least 4 times a day for a minimum of 20 minutes. It needs to be treated as soon as possible.
Hope you feel better.

@janeec

Hi janeec! Thank you for responding. I do not have a fever, but then it's rare for me to run any fever even when I have a UTI or a virus. And I don't see a line of demarcation, the edges of this lesion are very diffuse.

That leads to other concerns, but I refuse to spoil my weekend thinking of what those could be.

Re: Cellulitis

AnnieBelle — Fri, 12 May 2017 19:21:33 GMT

Good that you had it checked. My case of cellulitis was much like others described. Started with a very small open scratch on the front of my lower leg. It was a sore that just didn't seem to want to heal. The cellulitis started out with flu-like symptoms, subsequently my whole leg became bright red, warm to the touch - then redness began to diminish to just my lower leg. Fever and general feeling of malaise started on a Saturday, put off seeing PCP until Tuesday afternoon, sent me immediately to the hospital. Was admitted for one week with heavy duty antibiotics. My lower leg from my ankle to just below my knee was a mess for several more weeks. It's been 3 1/2 years since it happened and you can still see that the right leg looks different than the left.

I do hope you get a good report on Monday.

Re: Cellulitis

LilacTree — Fri, 12 May 2017 19:25:09 GMT

@Nomorebirthdays wrote:
@LilacTree nurse here, that's a very comman area to developers cellulitis. Is it fire red, swollen and feel hot to touch? Given your age and the circulation problems that come with age I would go to dr. Before Monday. Clot formation is dangerous in lower leg and could dislodge and travel to heart or lung. Do not rub it. Warm wet compress until you see the doctor, again go today. Elevate your leg.

@Nomorebirthdays

Odd you should say that. That foot has been swelling for the past few days (lower down from the lesion). But I have had that symptom in the past, in fact, on and off for many years. Therefore, I have been elevating my foot every day (have a small pillow on my desk and put my leg up on it when I am sitting here). I also have a pillow under the covers midway down in my bed where I place both of my legs at night. Since I always sleep on my back, any swelling is usually gone by morning.

That's genetic, both my mother and her mother had that tendency.

Re: Cellulitis

LilacTree — Fri, 12 May 2017 19:29:10 GMT

@AnnieBelle wrote:
Good that you had it checked. My case of cellulitis was much like others described. Started with a very small open scratch on the front of my lower leg. It was a sore that just didn't seem to want to heal. The cellulitis started out with flu-like symptoms, subsequently my whole leg became bright red, warm to the touch - then redness began to diminish to just my lower leg. Fever and general feeling of malaise started on a Saturday, put off seeing PCP until Tuesday afternoon, sent me immediately to the hospital. Was admitted for one week with heavy duty antibiotics. My lower leg from my ankle to just below my knee was a mess for several more weeks. It's been 3 1/2 years since it happened and you can still see that the right leg looks different than the left.

I do hope you get a good report on Monday.

@AnnieBelle

Thank you so much. I'm glad you're better and it hasn't happened again.

Re: Cellulitis

LilacTree — Fri, 12 May 2017 19:35:22 GMT

@dex wrote:
@LilacTree I don't have any experience with that but I sure do hope that your doc takes a look and gives you some treatment.I wonder if you have circulation problems?

@dex

I have very blotchy skin, so I probably do have circulation problems. I think my body is just completely shot, LOL.