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Cellulitis

(48 Posts)
janthea Thu 09-Aug-12 15:02:24

Over the last couple of weeks, I have had a little spot on my shin which I keep scratching as it's itchy. It wasn't healing, so I thought I would go to the doctor as it was feeling a little hot and red around the spot. The doctor took one look and said 'cellulitis' I had never heard of it. He said that he was diagnosing more cellulitis than sore throats these days. He gave me a horse's dose of antibiotic (4 times a day for a week) and said if it hadn't cleared up at the end of the treatment, I could call him for another dose.

I checked out cellulitis on the internet and it sounded very scary when you read about what COULD happen (necrotising fasciitis, lymphodema, septicemia and hospitalisation). I was very relieved that I had decided not to ignore as I usually do. shock

fanbrits Wed 25-May-16 08:35:22

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

Alea Wed 25-May-16 08:54:25

Reported again. Frankly fanbrits if you had any idea of the gravity of cellulitis which frequently involves IV antibiotics because if untreated can lead to sepsis and death, you would stop your childish attempts at advertising your diet pills website. angry

M0nica Wed 25-May-16 19:14:23

DH currently has it, for the second time this year, or rather, he only had a one week course of antibiotics and the first attack just went dormant rather than completely clearing up, First time round he had a more serious problem with an arm, which is why the cellulitis rather got overlooked.This time he is on a one month course of quite strong antibiotics so we help this will clear it completely.

It really is a nasty bug, anyone we tell about him having it comes back with tales of people they know who have been in hospital on IV drips and needing operations.

madamecholet Wed 25-May-16 20:00:57

I always thought cellulitis was something to do with cellulite and fat legs (which I definitely have). When I was bitten by an insect on holiday in Turkey a few years ago, my leg was red and swollen and someone told me the swelling looked like cellulitis, but I wasn't really too concerned. However, in a couple of days, my leg looked really scary. I won't give all the details (it would be TMI), but it looked like something from a horror movie and DH insisted I saw a doctor. I ended up having intravenous antibiotics and our travel insurance booked me three seats in a row for the flight home, so that I could keep the leg elevated for the entire journey. The travel insurance company were excellent and they also arranged wheelchair assistance for me to and from the plane. I made a full recovery, but it took about eighteen months for my leg to return to normal. I have learned my lesson and, if I ever had anything that looked remotely like cellulitis again, I would seek immediate medical attention. Once bitten ......... !!grin

Medspa Tue 29-Mar-22 16:38:23

Doctors and beauty experts have debated the causes of Cellulite Removal New York(https://royalmedspa.us/). Whilst it seems it is partially a gene thing and partially a hormone thing, cellulite has also been attributed to skin thickness, fat location and level, circulation, diet and age … the beast is indiscriminate as well as insufferable!

GrandmaSeaDragon Tue 29-Mar-22 17:05:27

I’ve had cellulitis twice in the last 3 years. The first time, I didn’t realise how serious it was until my leg became swollen, red and really hot. The second time, during lockdown, I knew immediately and GP saw me the same day. On both occasions, I needed double doses of antibiotics. Always seems to be in the summer and as I wear cropped trousers most of the time, I put it down to tiny grazes or bites as I walk our dog across fields.

Whiff Tue 29-Mar-22 17:28:02

Janthea I only read what it says about health problems on the NHS website. I had cellulitis after my grandson tripped and head butted my shin. I kept an eye on it and when it got worse sent pics to my GP via e consult within 2 hours had an email to say she had sent a prescription for antibiotics. Very strong for a week. Make sure you don't scratch the area as my leg got very itchy and red then the skin was very dry and flakey. Luckily I already used Dermol 500 lotion after I had jaundice in 2017 and the Dermatologist told me to use it everyday. It's important to keep the area well moisturised. It took another week after finishing the antibiotics for my skin to get back to its normal colour and texture. Hope you make a full recovery.

BlueBelle Tue 29-Mar-22 17:30:53

I had cellulitis a few years ago from the weeniest itchy spot on my toe ( I presume a little bite) it travelled up my leg I saw the GP who felt tipped around it and gave me anti biotics and told if it got any worse to go to Aand E next morning it was up to my knee so off I went to AandE and they also drew felt tip lines around it put me on stronger antibiotics and said come back if it spreads Next day it was up to my thigh so back to Aand E and I had to go on an anti biotics drip in a side room for about half an hour and take home more anti biotics it then gradually started to go down
Not pleasant at all

BlueBelle Tue 29-Mar-22 17:33:02

Cellulitis is nothing to do with cellulite removal or beauty parlours medspa think you are confused

Grandma70s Tue 29-Mar-22 17:48:00

My son had it in his eye, or presumably the skin round the eye. He was 9 at the time. It was very scary - he couldn’t see out of that eye and it was vey red and swollen. He felt ill. Took him to the doctor who injected him with penicillin, which cleared it up quite fast. Nasty experience.

HowVeryDareYou Tue 29-Mar-22 18:07:18

When I was about 30, I noticed a red, hot, sore, and aching patch on my ankle. Within a day, it was up to my knee. It was Cellulitis and I had to have antibiotics. About 2 years ago, I had a bit of dry skin on my cheek. I scratched it, causing it to bleed. By the next morning, my whole face was red, swollen, hot and sore. I rang the GP who did a telephone video call, and that was Cellulitis. I had 2 lots of antibiotics for a week and had to stay off work. When I did care work, I often saw Cellulitis in my clients, mainly on legs.

M0nica Tue 29-Mar-22 18:08:22

DH had it twice in three months, but it was at a time when he was very rundown. I was just thankful he didn't need to go to hospital.

A friend has just spent 4 weeks in hospital with cellulitis. He had the infection some years ago and was in hospital for several weeks then.

Marydoll Tue 29-Mar-22 20:23:59

I have had it a number of times. Years ago, I came back from abroad with it and my leg was twice it's usual size, covered in a firey rash from toes to knee.
I went straight to my GP, who said if I had left it a moment longer, I would have found my self in hospital, very ill, with sepsis.

It started again on the same ankle,, when I was sheilding and knew right away what it was. I immediately sent my GP a photo and was given medication within hours.

A very nasty condition indeed! .

Charleygirl5 Tue 29-Mar-22 21:41:59

Cellulitis is a group A streptococcal infection that as others have said, can become very nasty and needs instant treatment. It can spread horrifyingly quickly.

silverlining48 Tue 29-Mar-22 23:01:11

The first time I had cellulitis was very scary but when it happened again in a different part of the body I recognised it immediately and contacted the surgery for the very strong antibiotics necessary. The redness can increase quickly so marking round it with a pen is sensible.
It’s very serious and unpleasant and can return.

M0nica Wed 30-Mar-22 21:35:55

Reading this has made me realise that, although I do not think I did have cellulitis, something that happened to me during the first lockdown summer,
or was feared to be cellulitis

I was trimming climbing roses, when a bit of dead wood tumbled down, just touching my hand as it fell. In the time it took me to come off the step stoI was standing on and pull the rose trimming off me there was a 10p sized swelling on my hand. I got indoors and took an antihistamen, but it kept swelling so I rang 111, who sent me straight down to the local Minor Injuries Clinic. They gave me a hefty course of antibiotics and said if the redness extended to my wrist, I should come back.

The next day the swelling was on my wrist and I went back and this time was seen by the doctor in Minor Injuries, who drew a pencil line and told me to come back if the swelling breached the line.

Thankfully it didn't and I was on a mix of antihistamins and antibiotics for about 10 days. I now realise that cellulitis was what they were concerned I might have.

LtEve Thu 31-Mar-22 04:14:33

My DH had it when he was in his early 30s from a tiny graze on his shin. It went from nothing to excruciating pain and swelling in the course of a meal out for our wedding anniversary. I sent him to hospital in a taxi as we had 2 young children then. He was it for a week on IV antibiotics with sepsis plus 3 weeks of oral ones at home. He’s also been admitted with it from a horsefly bite on his elbow whilst playing cricket.
My nephews one year old has recently had a hospital stay with orbital cellulitis.

Whiff Thu 31-Mar-22 07:17:49

Having Gransnet as a resource for help and information makes you realise how common and dangerous some illnesses can be . It wasn't until I had cellulitis that I knew it existed. Yet another common thing that isn't talked about and therefore people don't realise how serious it can be and as seen here can effect all ages and different parts of your body.

Allsorts Thu 31-Mar-22 07:28:39

I had cellulitis in both breasts after a big operation, it was incredibly painful, I don’t know how I got it but it was very scary. Thank goodness for anti biotics. Keep a close eye on it, if it raises any concerns which I’m sure it won’t, get help asap.

Antonia Thu 31-Mar-22 09:49:03

I had cellulitis in my left foot, it was about this time last year. It was awful - swollen, red foot and so painful. I bought a pair of crutches to help me walk.
Two lots of antibiotics eventually cleared it up but it took nearly six weeks.
I hadn't injured my foot in any way and I couldn't see any damage to the skin.

TwiceAsNice Thu 31-Mar-22 12:46:09

I’ve had this several times on my face and leg when I was younger . Very sore and hot around the skin. Antibiotics cleared it up both times. Didn’t realise it could go into those complications

silverlining48 Thu 31-Mar-22 12:53:03

It’s important to note if the redness is increasing, it happens very quickly so as said previously mark the area with a pen to keep an eye on it,
It is a potentially life threatening condition, and not to be ignored, or joked about (one my friends found it funny). Actually I did too, initially.