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Swollen Bottom Lip, Chapped. Taken Clindamycin Previously. Have Diarrhea
Question: I have a swollen lip on the bottom right side(4 months) and now they are chapped. I had taken clindomicyn about 3 months ago and am still suffering from diarrhoea.(a few times a day)
Hi XXXXXXX,
Thanks for posting your query.
Localized swollen lips may be due to viral infection. Bacterial infections are least likely at lips and allergic reaction generally involves whole labial area not localized areas.
Clindamycin is an antibiotic and used in bacterial condition.
Do you have pain and small fluid filled blisters at affected site?
You may have herpes labialis at affected lip site which is now resolving with scab formation.
Kindly send your picture of affected lip, if possible.
Continuous and persisting use of Clindamycin may cause antibiotic associated diarrhea.
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) results from an imbalance in the colonic microbial flora caused by antibiotic therapy.
Microbial flora alteration changes carbohydrate metabolism with decreased short-chain fatty acid absorption and an osmotic diarrhea as a result.
Antibiotic therapy leading to diarrhea may also be due to overgrowth of potentially pathogenic organisms such as Clostridium difficile.
But in your case, possibility of Clostridium difficile appears to be low, as it is life-threatening condition.
You should consult with dermatologist and physician/ gastro-physician and should stop clindamycin immediately.
You should also go for following investigations: complete blood count, antibody teat for clostridium difficile, stool examination, ultrasound imaging, colonoscopy if needed.
If all investigations are normal, then you should take treatment of acute gastroenteritis on written prescription under guidance of treating doctor.
Put your query if you have.
Best regards,
Dr. Mayank Bhargava
Thanks for posting your query.
Localized swollen lips may be due to viral infection. Bacterial infections are least likely at lips and allergic reaction generally involves whole labial area not localized areas.
Clindamycin is an antibiotic and used in bacterial condition.
Do you have pain and small fluid filled blisters at affected site?
You may have herpes labialis at affected lip site which is now resolving with scab formation.
Kindly send your picture of affected lip, if possible.
Continuous and persisting use of Clindamycin may cause antibiotic associated diarrhea.
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) results from an imbalance in the colonic microbial flora caused by antibiotic therapy.
Microbial flora alteration changes carbohydrate metabolism with decreased short-chain fatty acid absorption and an osmotic diarrhea as a result.
Antibiotic therapy leading to diarrhea may also be due to overgrowth of potentially pathogenic organisms such as Clostridium difficile.
But in your case, possibility of Clostridium difficile appears to be low, as it is life-threatening condition.
You should consult with dermatologist and physician/ gastro-physician and should stop clindamycin immediately.
You should also go for following investigations: complete blood count, antibody teat for clostridium difficile, stool examination, ultrasound imaging, colonoscopy if needed.
If all investigations are normal, then you should take treatment of acute gastroenteritis on written prescription under guidance of treating doctor.
Put your query if you have.
Best regards,
Dr. Mayank Bhargava
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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