1. Community
  2. Infections
  3. Cellulitis

pain from cellulitis

Posted , 24 users are following.

melanie08367
melanie08367

When will I see some improvement after being diagnosed with cellulitis. This pain is intense

7 likes, 53 replies

53 Replies

Prev Next
  • melanie08367
    melanie08367

    Posted

    Good morning

    it seems like everyone has swelling if the legs. Ummm I just turned 43 and probably like past 2 months I've noticed my ankles have looked swollen I just figured it was water retentio. My celutious breakout is on my scalp is this something that is normal or am i lucky 2 have 2 different issues.

    And BTW I prescribed sulfameth/trimethoprim and cephalexin

    • Emps
      Emps melanie08367

      Posted

      Cellulitis in your scalp is unusual:

      patient.info/forums/discuss/cellulitus-in-my-scalp-387159

      With regard to the swelling: I wouldn't worry too much about it. Cellulitis is one of the main complications of lymphoedema:

      http://www.lymphedemapeople.com/thesite/lymphedema_complications_celluli.htm

      I don't think it goes the other way - I have it recurring in my left buttock (and have had it in my ear once) but not had any swelling of the legs.

      https://patient.info/forums/discuss/reoccuring-cellulitis-of-the-left-buttocks--40422

      However, it might be worth getting your legs checked in case it is lymphoedema, just to be on the safe side (as it probably is water retention). I don't know if cellulitis in one area makes you prone to getting it in another (or if it is just my bad luck), but if you might have the early stages of lymphoedema then it'd b wise to start treatment early. I'd say the same to someone with other illnesses where cellulitis is a complication, like diabetes.

    • terry868890
      terry868890 melanie08367

      Posted

      As an RN working night shift in a hospital, I am up on my legs 12-13 hrs., three nights a week. Any injury to my feet or legs, or back could put me down. The doc wanted me off my feet "for a few days"...well I had to work the following night! So I took it easy as I lay in bed all that day and night with my foot elevated until I had to get ready for work the next night. It helped but having to wear a sock and shoe the whole shift just put pressure and heat on my foot. The itch was driving me crazy! I put a creme on it prescribed for me before for poison ivy and it helps. Right now I'm off work until Monday night...foot elevated.

      Have you at times felt like something was literally crawling under your skin? I think that was when the edema was at it's worst for me.

      If you have something else that has come up on your head/scalp, I would have it looked at because it sounds like your problem is worsening, not getting better. It could be more of the same or something else all together different. Your doc might be able to prescribe a medicated shampoo that will help to heal the scalp and control itching at the same time.

    • ladyjack51
      ladyjack51 melanie08367

      Posted

      My advice is start wearing compression stocking now so the swelling won't go into your legs. If you dont...you don't want yours to swell like mine and get twice the size of a normal leg and we can't get a stocking on it. The skin bubbles and stretches and breaks and Bam! Then you get cellulitis as the bubbles turn into sores that drain and drip and is the most disgusting thing ever. Cellulitis is usually a side effect of something...like from a bite or swelling in the area from bacteria and such. Keep us updated!! Ladyjack51
    • ladyjack51
      ladyjack51 melanie08367

      Posted

      Honestly this sounds like 2 different things but I'm not a Dr of course. See your Dr about both.
    • ladyjack51
      ladyjack51 Emps

      Posted

      Thanks so much Emps

      I have lymphoedema and severe cellulitis....didn't realize until I was just recently told about the lymphoedema so I'm not that educated about it so your links really were helpful. Scary....but helpful.

      Ladyjack51

  • CallieG
    CallieG melanie08367

    Posted

    Melanie I have only recently gotten over a severe bout of Celulitis. It took 8 months for my ankle to heal, I have been left with a thick lumpy purple scar but I came close to losing my foot so I'm not complaining. The pain from the infection was excruciating , the simple act of the Dr taking a swap with a cotton tip would make me cry, I had 4 months of combined antibiotic treatment at home before I was hospitalized for IV antibiotics then sent home for 3 weeks of visits from a nursing service for daily IV treatment. I used Paracetamol with a low dose of Coedine  500mg/10mg 2 of those 4 times a day. The skin diseases specialist at the hospital told me to soak my  leg 3 times a day in a mix of 9 to 1 water & vinegar ( 100 ml of White Vinegar to 900 ml of warm water) soak the affecterd area in a bucket or use a sponge to drizzle it over the infected area. The Bacteria that causes the celulitis feeds on Alkaline substances so the Acid from the Vinegar starves it. It absolutely works. I used Zincpaste bandage (Viscopaste) Dressings applied in concertina fashion to allow for swelling with a medium weight gauze bandage over that then a soft cotton padding then a commpression tube bandage over that, I found the pressure from the tube bandage actually helped ease the pain.
    • CallieG
      CallieG

      Posted

      The zinc bandage went over just the infected area, the other bandages went from my toes to half way up my leg. I had a further 3 months antibiotic treatment after the daily  IV was completed.
    • ladyjack51
      ladyjack51 CallieG

      Posted

      I saw your reply to me and to Melanie here and I just think I must have the same thing. My whole lower leg from the knee to the ankle gets wrapped in sheets of Aquacel and then sheets of Mesalt, then 4 large abdominal adsorption pads in front, 4 in the back.. then wrapped in guaze rolls and then a type of tight elastic sock goes over the whole thing and that tight pressure does feel good...and dry for about 24 hours, but then I have to change it all from home bc the drainage will have soaked thru and that's a disgusting feeling. They debried it once a week and my husband does it between visits. I'm going to show them your posting tomorrow and see what they say. I've been getting this wound care for about 3 months now and I get so discouraged bc it seems to take forever. My leg is the size of two legs easily. And it's so heavy. I thank you bc you are the first person to post something that sounds like me and that helps my mind more than you know. Really...thank you so much.
  • glenda63789
    glenda63789 melanie08367

    Posted

    Dear melanie08367,

    i was diagnosed with cellulitis and it started with a small bump on my head the bump swelled and it worsened where my gland on my left side of head hurt so bad that I could lay on that side.  I went to urgent care and they gave me anabiotic .  But it did not seem to go away so I went to emergency and they gave me another anabiotic with the one that urgent care gave me.  My question is what shampoo should I use because I'm still receiving small bones frequently in my head kind of concerned because I haven't had this before or should I just go to my primary which I will be going to on 13 December but I just wanted to know shampoo that I should be using in order to better it and to help the growth of my hair to come back 

  • Ssprinkles09
    Ssprinkles09 melanie08367

    Posted

    I have facial cellulitis any suggestions on what I can put on my face to help with the burning sensation

  • jane11262
    jane11262 melanie08367

    Posted

    I am amazed how common this diagnosis is yet how much one suffers.  I was initially given antibiotics for the infection and Prednesone for the pain and swelling.  If you are not on Prednesone, why not?  It provides very quick releif. Do read others experiences with this.  It seems to be a bugger to get rid of.  A common complaint is that the doctor do not treat as aggessively as they might have.  A lot of patients return for more antibiotics...in my case I went to a 2nd doctor after being misdiagnosed after 45 days.  It was not athlete's foot.  

    Good luck.  And God bless. 

  • bridgette34806
    bridgette34806 melanie08367

    Posted

    I was treated for cellulitis and was hospitalized for 4 days. I was treated with antibiotics and also prescribed antibiotics for 10 days after I left the hospital. And pain medicine for the pain. I no longer have anymore pain med I wanted to know what can I take for the pain.
  • jane11262
    jane11262 melanie08367

    Posted

    I rec'd prenisone for the relief of inflamation.  It worked great.  If it's an exttremity, keep it elevated (above your heart) and ice at the area of infection offers some relief.   (20 mins on/20 mins off.) 

Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.