recovery from cellulitis
Posted , 7 users are following.
Two days ago I was diagnosed with cellulitis on the top on my right foot. I went to the er and am now taking cephalexin every 8 hours. This pain Is almost unbearable at times. Sometimes it feels like there is something moving in my skin. The redness and warm, and pain seem to be traveling up my ankle very slowly. I don't know if this is normal or if i need to be seen again. Right now I feel tremendous pressure and it feels almost cold.
0 likes, 16 replies
glenn06752 demaentia
Posted
My only advice to you is to keep the leg/foot elevated as much as possible and take the meds. You can also use a good topical ointment like Eurcerin to keep the skin moist. Unfortunately you're going to deal with this 2-4 weeks before you start to see peeling. The pain, redness and warmth is all part of the infection and I know what you're going through.
I'm not a doctor by any stretch but have had 5 or 6 bad episodes, two of which ended me in the hospital. I was always prescribed Amoxi-Clav 875 and had the same via IV drip in the hospital.
I hope you feel better soon. Don't over-do it with standing. Try to stay elevated and you should start to feel better after 4 or 5 days but it will take longer for the rash and peeling, not to mention the pain, to disappear.
jane11262 demaentia
Posted
Personally, I'd go back to the doctor (or try another doctor.) I have only had it once. The antibitotics I was initially perscribed didn't touch it and I was given a refill of the same. Still didn't touch it. I was also given prednisone which helped the swelling and perhaps camoflouged the (lack of) affect the antibiotic was (not) having. I have yet to read anyone on this, but it likely jump started some of the relief. I returned to my doc 4 times in 45 days when it showed it was traveling. Eventually, he referred me elsewhere. By time I went to the next doc, it was traveling up my anel as well (origin toes.) Elevation helped. So did ice, but never heard anyone here saying ice. (20 mins on/20 mins off as it can damage the skin if left on too long.) Again, if it were me...I'd go back again to the doctors..
pauluk60 demaentia
Posted
de if its still moving get to a&e asp dont mess with this dont wont to panic you but the cellulitus moves fast if gets into you try 111 out of hours and talk to them its weekend now so if your like me no doc till monday take your temperture if you can
missrachael demaentia
Posted
I would go back to the hospital if the redness is spreading that's a sign it's getting worse not better. I've had it 9 times, hospitalised every time, it is painful and I know exactly how you're feeling.. healing vibes to you!
pauluk60 missrachael
Posted
missrachael pauluk60
Posted
Hi pauluk, I was put on antibiotics for a long time yes and I made some lifestyle changes (went gluten free, vegetarian) and I have not had cellulitis since February 2014. I know it can be very dangerous and it was not a good situation to be in. I'm drug free now, and always thinking about what I put in my body as long term antibiotics antibiotics aren't good for you!
pauluk60 missrachael
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missrachael pauluk60
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Hi Pauluk, Im in australia and yes it was always the same presentation. It would appear on my left hip and spread down my leg and across my buttocks, it always started with painful lymph nodes in my groin, fever, high heart rate and eventually redness and swelling. I have seen 2 infectious disease specialists, both could not identify the cause. I have had multiple ultrasounds and 2 MRI's with no conclusion. All my bloodwork came back normal, aside from elevated white blood cells which indicate an infection.
Yes it was a very hard time in my life, it did not help that I was 15 when I had the first presentation.
I believe my immune system isn't very good beause I get colds and have slow healing but doctors don't agree. I have read a few things about gluten intolerance causing cellulitis - perhaps that is something for you to look into.
Hope that helps.
jane11262 missrachael
Posted
Hello missrachael in Australia. Jane here from the US. I realize that I may be stepping out of bounds because I am not a doctor, but...having read your symptoms and hearing what my twin suffers from I wonder if you don't have Hidradentis Suppurative. She's read how difficult it is being diagnosed, but she got lucky being diagnosed right away. It often starts in the teen years. Just putting this out there and doing so hesitantly as I am not a medical professional. She's read on these types of forums how others suffer for years undiagnosed. She keeps med on hand if/when she sees an oncoming outbreak and nips it in the bud. The best to you!
pauluk60 missrachael
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pauluk60
Posted
HeatherTwist demaentia
Posted
I'd not heard of this until I got it, but it seems it's really dangerous stuff. For me the antibiotics worked rather quickly, so if this one isn't working ... yeah, have it seen again. The bug you have may be resistant to that antibiotic.
My doc also recommended hot washcloths ... moist heat will help kill bacteria too. I tend to use an infra-red heat pad or foot baths. A foot bath with some epsom salts in it will probably make you feel better too. You need to be careful about how hot it is though, because if your circulation is damaged it's easy to burn yourself.
glenn06752 HeatherTwist
Posted
Hi Heather - I have suffered a half dozen times with cellulitis. Twice I have ended up in the hospital for a few days. I have never heard of hot wash cloths. In fact, I have never heard of hot anything. Possibly warm, but never hot Ths skin is compromise to begin with and infra red heat and hot wash cloths could make matters worse. I was always told to keep the leg cool and use a good topical ointment such as Eucerin to keep the leg moist.
I'm not a doctor but at least for me, I couldn't imagine putting a hot wash cloth on my painful cellulitis leg, already on fire that is going to peel and look like a bad sunburn in a week or so. Even with lymphedema, they stress to stay out of hot tubs and water that's too hot.
Anyway, I found your post interesting to say the least.
HeatherTwist glenn06752
Posted
Reading about foot soaking, there is also a danger of spreading the cellulitis to the other foot. So maybe that isn't a good idea. My heat pad works for me, but I'm very careful about the temps, and it feels good when I use it. If it felt like it does for you, I wouldn't use it either.
I'm interested that cold works for some people. I actually tend to get this if I let my feet get cold. When my feet are cold, there is less circulation, and the more dangerous kinds of bacteria ... like staph ... tend to like cooler places, like feet and sinuses.
cupcake75 demaentia
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pauluk60 cupcake75
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Cupcake have they had you in compression bandages I have a damaged skin which is being treated this way and is working but you may be different are you uk based I am under district nurses and tissue viability people slow but seem to getting there there's a lot of things that need to be checked to try and keep cellulites away blood check foot leg. probs hope you can get on top of it as its wearing going in out of hospital