Cellulitis

lynnhb

Hi, I have suffered with Cellulitis in my lower legs for the past 14 days. It began when (very unusually for me as I am not a lover of the sun at all) I got my lower legs sunburned on a day out whilst on holiday in Cornwall. I visited a local GP who prescribed Antibiotics, 1 x 4 times a day for 7 days. By day 7 I continued to feel very unwell - feverish, shivering, itchy painful skin on legs. I went to my GP who has now prescribed a different medication 1 x 3 times a day for a further 7 days + a week off work as I need to keep my legs raised so my feet are higher than my hips. I am up early with itchy legs, headache & feeling very low about all this. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I might help myself more? I am sipping a refreshing mug of warm honeygar as I type, which I find very comforting. Is Cellulitis common with Osteoarthritis?
I wish you all a good day. Lynn :?

valval

hi lyn you got me there never heard of it sorry sure some one wil come along soon who will have some idea. welcome and hope things better soon and you are back to normal val

elnafinn

Hi Lynn

I am sorry to hear that your have been diagnosed with cellulitis at the moment. My MIL had this so I know it is most unpleasant. I do not know if it has connections with OA but can have with diabetes and poor circulation. It can be caused by a burn and you say you are not used to sitting in the sun for any length of time. If bacteria gets deep into the skin, via a graze, cut, burn, bite this may cause infection. If you suffer with eczema or psoriasis you have a higher risk of bacteria getting into the skin.

It does take time to go away and I hope that you are soon ok and back to work.

Luv
Elna x

dorcas

Hi Lynn,

I don't know anything about cellulitis..or whether there is any link with arther. Just wanted to send you good wishes for a quick recovery..it must be 'maddening' having such pain and then itch in your legs.

Maybe you need to speak to your doc again if you now have a sore head and flu like symptoms in case it's become 'systemic'....can it?
and/ or you need different treatment.

love n hugs

Iris xx

elnafinn

Hi Lynn

Most people with cellulitis feel only mildly ill, but some may have a fever, chills, rapid heart rate, headache, low blood pressure, and confusion. I remember my MIL did not not feel at all well at the beginning with this.It more than likely has not helped matters that the first meds you were prescibed did not work so there has been an unnecessary delay in the healing process.

Try to keep as immobile as possible with legs elevated to help reduce swelling, boring though that is. :roll:

I do hope you begin to feel better soon. It does go away.

Luv
Elna x

frogmorton

Hi Lynn

My ex had this at one point and lynn you have to keep still and any deterioration AT ALL you have to go back to the docs.

he ended up in teh hossie having IV anti b's. tyen they made him a plaster cast sort of at the back of his leg to MAKE him keep still.

You take care

Love

Toni xx

paulch

Hi i had Cellutilis 5 yrs ago in my left stroke side foot which they think was brought on by me damaging my left foot, i was put on a IV for 4 days untill it cleared up .

lynnhb

Hi all,
Many thanks for your kind words & advice.
It is reassuring to hear of others who have had Cellulitis, & to know I am not being lazy keeping still!
I have the 'torn between needing to rest & feeling I should move around' guilt feeling.
Your words have cheered me up.
Enjoy your evening & thanks again. xxxx

elainebadknee

Hi Lyn

I only know my mum got it after flying from New York and back, and it is very sore and takes a while to recover from it. We actually spent New Year's Ever 2009 in the local hospital and they were going to keep her in at one point, she was unable to fly to Spain in New Year.....

Never heard of it associated with OA but I suppose if youre not moving as much as Joe Average then you may be susceptible to it (hope havent offended you there by that comment)!!! :oops:

Hope you get some relief soon....

Elaine

lynnhb wrote:

Hi, I have suffered with Cellulitis in my lower legs for the past 14 days. It began when (very unusually for me as I am not a lover of the sun at all) I got my lower legs sunburned on a day out whilst on holiday in Cornwall. I visited a local GP who prescribed Antibiotics, 1 x 4 times a day for 7 days. By day 7 I continued to feel very unwell - feverish, shivering, itchy painful skin on legs. I went to my GP who has now prescribed a different medication 1 x 3 times a day for a further 7 days + a week off work as I need to keep my legs raised so my feet are higher than my hips. I am up early with itchy legs, headache & feeling very low about all this. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I might help myself more? I am sipping a refreshing mug of warm honeygar as I type, which I find very comforting. Is Cellulitis common with Osteoarthritis?
I wish you all a good day. Lynn :?

dopeykit

Hi Lynn,

I got this a few years ago from some infected insect bites and my foot went black. I recovered pretty quickly on anti-biotics and was able to do most stuff but it was very very uncomfortable and the skin on my foot is a bit thickened and discoloured even now so definately better to err on the side of caution!

I have PA and think the auto immune probs made it more likely but not sure

Hope you feel better soon

Kit

salamander

I've had several friends who have had cellulitis and been very ill. Also my mother, who ended up in hospital on an antibiotic drip for a week. So don't underestimate it. Watch out for the infection spreading, if you see that happen go straight back to the doctor. It also takes quite a while to clear up.

frogmorton

Hi Lynn

Just wondering how you are doing? Are you improving at all?

Love

Toni xx