Cellulitis

ozarkgirl · ‎03-12-2010

Anyone had this? Went to the ER a week ago. My leg was bright red and purple. Diagnois Cellulis On my second antibotic We are watching it very closely because I have had a total knee replacement and I don't want anything to go wrong with that. How long do I have to tolerate this?

cowboy sam · ‎06-15-2015

@ozarkgirl

I have no idea...i had it once but mine wasn't that bad and was give the zpack...of antibiotics..

Will keep you in my prayers.

preds 06-21-20
"Always be thankful andyou'll have more than you know."

goldienj · ‎10-05-2010

Had it in November......don't mess around with oral antibiotics. Best for me was hospitalization with iv antibiotics. It did cler, and my knee replacement was fine

RedTop · ‎09-01-2010

There is no timeline with clearing a cellulitis infection; it can be days, weeks, or months.

My diabetic husband had a pressure ulcer on his foot that got infected and led to cellulitis in his foot. We fought that infection HARD for 8 weeks before the infection went into the bone and an amputation procedure was done.

My advice is to stay on top of it! If the oral meds don’t take care of the infection this time, INSIST on IV meds.

I have had both knees replaced and understand your concern. Sending my very best wishes to you as you fight this infection in your leg.

Foxxee · ‎10-03-2014

My father has poor circulation in his legs and has had infections at which time was put on oral antibiotics. Also, he was prescribed chlorhexidine washes and antibiotic ointment every day. Chlorhexidine is a liquid antibiotic wash often used in hospitals. Drug stores carry it without prescription.

He washes his legs with chlorhexidine, uses a prescription strength steroid cream and wraps them in gauze to keep them clean. That protocol is working well for him and so far keeping infections at bay.

Even without an infection, his skin is constantly peeling and always looks inflamed. For him, it's a condition he will always have to be on the alert.

Depends on what is causing your cellulitis whether it will go away entirely. It can be very serious and it looks like you are staying on top of it.

dex · ‎03-09-2010

@ozarkgirl Ask your doc about medical grade manuka honey.I have heard of people using it to help treat infections with success....make sure that you check first though just Incase It interferes with your meds in some way.

Gracies Mom · ‎04-25-2011

I had cellulitis of my lower leg after a fall two years ago--my doctor admitted me to the hospital--made sure I didn't have a blood clot (sonogram) and then kept me in the hospital for five days of IV antibiotics--was fine after that,

Two months ago I noticed that same leg--in the same area--was red, wrm and painful--no injury precluded the symptoms. I was seeing my oncologist that day anyway, so I showed her my leg--she didn't like the way it looked, so she sent me for a sonogram to make sure I didn't have a clot (thank goodness was negative for a DVT)-- she put me on oral Keflex 500mg once a day for four days (I also had a UTI)--Kelfex is a wonderful antibiotic--cleared up both my cellulitis and UTI quickly--and I was able to stay out of the hospital. Now it appears this cellulitis might be a chronic thing--I keep my eye on my leg and will go to the doctor right away if it starts to look infected--if I catch the infection before it becomes entrenched, maybe I can stay out of the hospital. I also have diabetes--I don't need any further problems.

hckynut · ‎03-10-2010

@ozarkgirl wrote:
Anyone had this? Went to the ER a week ago. My leg was bright red and purple. Diagnosis Cellulitis On my second antibiotic We are watching it very closely because I have had a total knee replacement and I don't want anything to go wrong with that. How long do I have to tolerate this?

@ozarkgirl

Yes, I had a long bout with cellulitis. It was caused when 1 of our cats bit my hand. Now I have been bitten by many cats/and kittens over many years. It hurts, but I cleaned it up and wrapped ice around right away and thought nothing more about it.

The next morning my hand, by the bite, was bright red and swollen. I called my GP but could not get in for 3 days. It was the ER, or see if my GP nephew would fit me in. He did and he immediately ordered an IV antibiotic and had me admitted to the hospital.

Spent 6+ days in the hospital on several different IV antibiotics. My hand was so swollen I could barely move any of my fingers on my left hand. Had an Infectious Disease Specialist take over after admitted.

One week? Heck, I was in the hospital close to that long. It took over 3 months before I could use my left hand for much of anything. Had to do my upper body strength training mostly with my right hand/arm. That was another 3 months and then I had to rebuild the grip and strength in my left hand.

To answer your question about "how long do I have to tolerate this"? I really do not know, and I only told you my story so you could know that someone on this forum has been through a "cellulitis", and mine was a very long trip.

My best to you with this and I hope yours is nowhere close to my situation.

hckynut

hckynut(john)

Toppers3 · ‎10-25-2016

@ozarkgirl wrote:
Anyone had this? Went to the ER a week ago. My leg was bright red and purple. Diagnois Cellulis On my second antibotic We are watching it very closely because I have had a total knee replacement and I don't want anything to go wrong with that. How long do I have to tolerate this?

Hi @ozarkgirl ,

I'm so sorry that you're going through this.

Everyone's different and heals differently, so you just have to stay on top of your infection and watch it carefully and let your doctor's office know if anything doesn't seem right to you.

I've been through it a couple of times with both of my lower legs.

Sending you best wishes for a good recovery.