When will I see some improvement after being diagnosed with cellulitis. This pain is intense
Hi melanie08367,
You are leaving out alot....it depends on my things as to when it will leave...it won't leave on its own...it has to be treated. Do you have swelling? Is your skin bubbling or translucent yet? Any sores yet? Any fever? Are you taking an antibiotic?what does the Dr say?Answer some of these and I can tell you more after that? Keep us informed... ladyjack51
Good morning
yes I went to emergency room and they said it was celluliti. It started with one bump I thought was a pimole now it's 3 or 4 looks like they have a scab on them but the swelling in my face and behind my ear is going down but last night while showering I felt a large hard knot where I first noticed it. It was a totally different pain it was like a deep stabbing when at first it was very sore and extremely sensitiv. I'm on 2 different antibiotic.
Is this normal or should I go back to doc no fere today
Hi melanie08367,
You are leaving out alot....it depends on many things as to when it will leave...it won't leave on its own...it has to be treated. Do you have swelling? Is your skin bubbling or translucent yet? Any sores yet? Any fever? Are you taking an antibiotic?what does the Dr say?Answer some of these and I can tell you more after that? Keep us informed... ladyjack51
Hhmmm...the hard knot...sounds like a place where something may have bit you...which can after be the cause of cellulitis bc people scratch it..it itches...but your fingernails harbor so much bacteria and causes infection or cellulitis. You have to give the antibiotic a couple of days to kick in but by then you should some improvement. If u dont....if you see streaks coming from the hard knot, if the knot gets bigger, basically anymore negative symptoms, especially fever, then you've got to seek medical attention asap. Keep us posted bc I want to know. Ladyjack51
It'll depend on where it is, how widespread it is and how long you've been taking the antibiotics (and if they are oral or IV). It can take me a week or two to be rlatively pain-free with oral antibiotics and you can half that with IV, but there was a lot of it.
If it is.as painful as it sounds then try painkillers. Something like co-codamol* is a good choice, but you should be careful as the codeine can make you constipated (and long-term use is addictive, but that shouldn't be a big deal here if you stop taking it when you are better). Unless I'm in a lot of pain in the first day or so, I tend to take paracetomol during the day (which can take the edge off the pain but, more importantly, it'll help reduce any feverishness) and co-codamol at night to help me sleep. If you are in hospital they, in my experience, let you mix-and-match your pain meds, if the doctor hasn't got you on something more serious (I'm not aware of anyone with cellulitis being put on morphine, but I suppose it is always an option in extreme cases).
Depending on what meds you've been prescribed will determine your outcome. I was given an injection in my buttox of cipro and oral antibiotics of Keflex and and Clindamycin. However, the more I am on my feet, since my cellulitis is on my right ankle, the more swollen it is/stays. If yours worsens, get to your doc right away! This is not something to mess around with...you could end up with an incision and drainage.... i&D... You don't want that! Watch it closely!
I had Clindamycin so many times it stopped working for me...now I use Cephalexin (keflex). My leg is one huge wound right now and I am having to go to the wound clinic once a week where they wash, clean, and dress my leg from ankle to knee. It is hard to heal at this stage bc of all the swelling fluid getting the way of the healing. But, it is working so I thank God for that. This can be a really disgusting disease.
Ladyjack51
You have got to stay off of your leg... Elevate it on two to thee pillows. I know, I'm a nurse and a patient. It's hard but do it and don't scratch. Ask for triamcinolone creme 0.5 percent. It helps the itch immensly.
Hhmmm...never heard of that cream...I'm in the States...do we use that here too? I sure will ask about it. I'm not a nurse but I did lack just 1 1/2 months finishing nursing school so I was just in clinical then. Not finishing was the dumbest mistake I ever made but I met a man, fell in love, got pregnant and just missed too many days. I've regretted it a million times. But all my life I've worked in the business end...coding, billing, Dr office and corporate medical so at least I fed some deep desire that way. I'm so glad you are a nurse and on here. That feels good. I had to retire about 4 yrs ago bc of this leg but didn't have such cellulitis then but I had the slow swelling. I don't know why my Dr back then never put me on compression socks...now I can't get one on...yet! Yes, I put my leg up at night and as I can during the day but it's not enuff. I think I need to be bedridden for about a week and maybe it will go down enuff to get a sock on? Do u think it would?
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
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.
Dear LadyJack,
I live Northeast of Dallas, TX so yes you can get that creme here. It is only by prescription so ask your doc about it or call and talk to his nurse today...maybe she can "call it in" so you can get it b4 the weekend starts. It makes such a difference regarding the itch. And yes, elevating the leg and an ice pack placed over a pillow case or towel...not directly on the skin. My skin has become very fragile where the initial site of the bite was and still is. I haven't used ice yet due to that. Use your own judgement but don't ever leave an ice pack on for more than 10-20 minutes. Twenty mins is the max recommended by docs for muscle strain so I would go far less for a wound! It may aggravate it more! Yikes!
You may also need some a steroid pack to get over the inflammation. However, I must make the disclaimer: I am not a physician, and so consult your doctor regarding anything/treatment you may so choose as it may have an adverse effect. Only your physician can prescribe medications and or give you sound medical advice.
We all have regrets regarding life plans and/or choices but it sounds like you found your "niche"! That's awesome!
Have a great day!
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.
Oh Terry868890!!!
Small world!!!! I live in Northeast Dallas! So are you outside of Dallas or in Dallas?? Very cool. So my problem is since having to stop working I lost my insurance so I've had to go thru the Parkland program which takes a very long time to navigate thru bc I have a few things wrong with me. However I'm thankful for the wound care/physical therapy depth bc I'm finally getting them focused on my leg instead of just sending me to the ER. I think my leg is beyond cold packs...the skin became translucent, bubbled and then broke open making sores. If I hadn't gotten into wound care I would have had to go to the ER for IV antibiotics...maybe been admitted. I'll keep you and Melanie posted! *sigh*
Hang in there!!! I grew up in Richardson and now live out in the country east of Sherman and work at TMC in Denison. So glad you are getting the help you need through Parkland. They are a great hospital. My mom had her open heart surgery there twice.
I was wondering if you are a diabetic. If so you know how important it is to keep that under control. Diabetic foot ulcers can lead to future amputations if not cared for properly. Unfortunately, in my line of work, I see that way too often. Take care of yourself and that poor leg...I'll do the same!
Nope....thank God I'm not a diabetic. Oxygen and fluid gets to my tissues but Venous insufficiency keeps it from circulating back n put of the leg. It just pools. Ive had every test they can do looking for blood clots etc but thankfully...nothing. So it's hard for me to understand why God hasn't healed me yet. They say it's lymphodema and I will have it the rest of my life.
Correction...from back out of the leg...it just pools
Oh boy, sounds familiar. I was told ten years ago I had incompetent valves in my left leg. Doc highly recommended the venous closure procedure. You should see the huge tortuous vein running down the front of my shin in that leg. Wish I hadn't done it! Ugh! I wasn't having pain... Just legs felt sluggish.
Sorry to hear that I'm scared to go to the doctors my dad had a triple Bypass on his femoral arter. The pain in my heal is starting to be unbearable and whwn I first stand up I can't put any weight on it. The hardest part is I haven't injured it in any it's like a burning that shoots thru my foot. Adobe have any ideas of what it mag be or how I can ease the pain at home. I've elevated it soaked it and got no relief.