I have chronic cellulitis in my left leg. It first occur...

really interested to read about the suggested dietry solutions - so good to find someone who will talk about prevention of any more bouts rather than just treating the symptoms at outbreak. Going to give it a go, as soon as this course of antibiotics finished and feeling back up to speed.:ill:

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Great site. I thought I was the only one having problems with cellulitis. I am 31 and was quite embarrassed by the debilitating nature of this condition.

I've had 3 attacks in almost 6 years. I am pretty sure they all came in through recurring athletes foot condition. The first time I came to the ER, I was kept overnight and given IV antibiotics. But the hospital was so bad, I told them, live or die, I am leaving to be at home with my wife. So, they gave me oral antibiotics and, after suffering for a couple of days, I got back to normal.

2nd attack happened 1.5 years later. That time, I was better prepared and went to ER quickly to get oral antibiotics.

3rd attack is what woke me up. It was actually milder than the other two, and after oral antibiotics for a few days, I was up and about. Cellulitis is now more of a nuisance. Once in a while, my left ankle stills swells up a bit, but it goes away after a few days.

But I finally got scared enough to read up on this annoying condition. Here are a few highlights:

1. Being overweight is a huge risk factor. I was really overweight, but have lost 35+ pounds and working on losing more.

2. Being inactive is another risk factor due to poor circulation. I was actually a very active person before, but only twice a week. I sat in front of the computer during the other five days. So, get moving.

Losing weight and exercising is a part of an overall healthy life style. No fad diets, just lots of fruits / vegetables, sensible cuts of healthy meats, reduce carb and sodium intake. It really works.

Also, have yourself checked out for elevated sugar. I found out my blood glucose was slighly up, which, again, is a risk factor. If that is what you have, the dietary / lifestyle changes will definitely help.

Keep track of your feet. If you can, have your doctor give you an extra supply of antibiotics. If this thing rears its ugly head while you're traveling overseas, you can cut it off before it becomes a problem.

Hang in there

[i:7b7d9cb3e2]This message was automatically imported from the original Patient Experience[/i:7b7d9cb3e2]

I found your comments very useful. My wife has just got cellulitis for the first time and in recovery at the moment she thinks she will be in work in afew days and everything will be fine. She is a swimming teacher and she got this through athleats foot which is a trate of her job. she also stands on her feet all day and i carnt help feeling her job may be at risk long term if i cannot find some way to help her prevent this happening again without being paraniod about her feet. Your diet information was very interesting and will be very use full if you have any more tips i would be greatful. My wife is 34 and very active and swims alot with an athletic build which poses the question again why this happens to certain people and no patterns. Its very hard any information would be greatfully recieved.:D

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I have just found this site...and this thread has been the most helpful.

One month ago I spent the whole day feeling rough and with a progressively bad headache, becoming light and sound sensitive. Went to bed but couldn't find a comfy place for my head. I started shivering and teeth-chattering uncontrollably and felt so cold even though I had a big quilt on me and heating on. Couldn't move. After two hours managed to get out of bed. Sat quietly. Bedtime started shivering/teethchattering again, head splitting - and then vomiting around every 10 mins. NHS24 were useless. They offered me a 6 hour queue in hospital. Rode it out overnight - completely delirious. My husband was worried and called doctor in the morning. My foot to ankle was red. He gave me antibiotics but in 4 hours the red had creeped to almost my knee. The hospital kept me in overnight and said I had cellulitis, making it sound kind of routine. One month later, after almost no guidelines from the hospital, the swelling has gone down from 45cm calf to normal. But my leg still remains a little red. Now my gums ache and my mouth is splitting at the corners.

I am overweight and have had poor lymphatic drainage in this leg for years. I am so angry to read that this could be the cause. I also had a DVT three years ago. And though I mentioned these, no info was given, I had to find out on BMJ sites that these can be factors.

I felt very afraid - I thought I might die. I spent one night praying and crying in my bed, begging god to help me cos I didn't want to leave my husband and kids.

This has been a life-changing experience. I am reducing alcohol to weekends only, losing weight - joined Weightwatchers today - and taking up more exercise. And I am putting my life in order because you never know whats in front of you.

I can't say I am not afraid now - I am - but hearing what you have all said makes me feel a bit better knowing that others are surviving - and I am also going to the health food shop now to buy some stuff in to boost my immune system. The only good advice I was given was by one doctor in the A & E who suggested I take Actimel whilst taking the antibiotics. Usually antibiotics go straight to creating stomach pain and upset for me...and the Actimel has helped enormously. But my energy is really depleting now.

Hope you all get well and don't get this nasty bug again.

I have just found this site...and this thread has been the most helpful.

One month ago I spent the whole day feeling rough and with a progressively bad headache, becoming light and sound sensitive. Went to bed but couldn't find a comfy place for my head. I started shivering and teeth-chattering uncontrollably and felt so cold even though I had a big quilt on me and heating on. Couldn't move. After two hours managed to get out of bed. Sat quietly. Bedtime started shivering/teethchattering again, head splitting - and then vomiting around every 10 mins. NHS24 were useless. They offered me a 6 hour queue in hospital. Rode it out overnight - completely delirious. My husband was worried and called doctor in the morning. My foot to ankle was red. He gave me antibiotics but in 4 hours the red had creeped to almost my knee. The hospital kept me in overnight and said I had cellulitis, making it sound kind of routine. One month later, after almost no guidelines from the hospital, the swelling has gone down from 45cm calf to normal. But my leg still remains a little red. Now my gums ache and my mouth is splitting at the corners.

I am overweight and have had poor lymphatic drainage in this leg for years. I am so angry to read that this could be the cause. I also had a DVT three years ago. And though I mentioned these, no info was given, I had to find out on BMJ sites that these can be factors.

I felt very afraid - I thought I might die. I spent one night praying and crying in my bed, begging god to help me cos I didn't want to leave my husband and kids.

This has been a life-changing experience. I am reducing alcohol to weekends only, losing weight - joined Weightwatchers today - and taking up more exercise. And I am putting my life in order because you never know whats in front of you.

I can't say I am not afraid now - I am - but hearing what you have all said makes me feel a bit better knowing that others are surviving - and I am also going to the health food shop now to buy some stuff in to boost my immune system. The only good advice I was given was by one doctor in the A & E who suggested I take Actimel whilst taking the antibiotics. Usually antibiotics go straight to creating stomach pain and upset for me...and the Actimel has helped enormously. But my energy is really depleting now.

Hope you all get well and don't get this nasty bug again.

I was just recently at the hospital on the 30th of last month found out I had cellulitis. I got worse in again to hospital on the 4th of this month stayed in MICU til Yesterday who would of thought something could get soooo bad that Quick. Didn't know what I was in for and still dealing with.

I can tell you that celluitis is no joke, I fist got it in Beruit in 1983, plus I know other folks with it and one that died from it.

The fist fews times were not that bad, but the older I got the worse it became, (my circulation is great so that has been ruled out as a cause), but the last few times I got it was baaad.

I am now recovering once again from it, I was hositalized and treated for 2 weeks and the medicine has a real neat side effect called C-Difff (which never goes away completely as it can come back at any time just like the cellulitis). The medicine for C-Diff wipes you out and it is a 2 week couse of treatment at home, but you feel like total crap.

My advise is if you get this, get a referal to a specialist right away, DON'T WAIT. It is serious.

My cellulitis is a new situation for me. I got it from an accident last December, went on antibiotics,, treated the injury and I healed up, have scars, but everything healed. Since then I'd have bouts of swelling and pain, but rest, elevation and anti inflammatory and it subsides.

So now it's swollen and red . I'm freaking out if I see any signs of infection. So my question is when I'm having a recurrance do I need antibotics? I have no broken skin, the initial injury is healed and has been healed up, so is it an infection and I need antibotics or is this just a symptom of cellulitis and treat the symptom

Like I said, swollen, red, pain. Doesn't seem to be spreading, just still red and swollen

I can't afford doctor every time I get pain or swelling, but I need to know when it's a "have to" moment. Thanks for any advise you all have.