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What Causes Itchy Bumos On Lower Leg When Suffering Fron Diabetes?

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Posted on Thu, 24 Jul 2014
Question: I have type two diabetes and venous insufficiency in the legs. Last week I was at a block party and sat for a while; a little more active than usual. There developed itchy bumps on my lower right leg. They coallased into a large bulae that was the size of half an egg. Serious-sanguious fluid has been draining and the dermous is still intact. There is no outward sign of heat or infection such as pus or erythmosis surrounding the wound. It is painful in a stinging way to touch it. The covered would has a blueish appearance. There are no red streaks away from the wound. I had an appointment for Monday afternoon but had to cancel due to my 88 yr old mother having an infrequent total meltdown. Am supposed to see a doctor the day after tomarrow in the afternoon. So I am curious how dire is this sort of thing. I was wondering as it appears as a burn would if it should be debrided to heal or maybe lead to a skin graft. It the fairly healty looking dermous better left in place; will it ever heal without air getting to the wound. Please give me your best gut feeling in a few minutes if possible. Waiting up to 24 hours for an answer would not help my anxiety about it. A delayed response is not what I was expecting. I was referring to the epidermous not the dermous. I wanted to send a picture but my computor is not reading my memory card. Could you at least let me know here if there will be any kind of response to my question soon as I am in California and did not intend to stay up all night. Thank you.

I would not recommend your services to anyone. I intend to ask for a refund. Your significant delay in addressing my concern is was not explained to me before commiting to a payment. I feel you could have given me a reply to my very general question in a fairly quick response. This has been about an hour now and no meaningful response has been forthcoming. Im sure this concern could have been addressed by any first year intern. Very disappointing.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
I am worried should you be having cellulitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX
Thanks for writing back with updated information.

As you might be aware, people with diabetes are more prone for common skin lesions due to possible vascular insufficiency which can later develop infections like the one you describe. Possibility of cellulitis needs to be ruled out first from the above mentioned features.

By definition cellulitis is a potentially serious bacterial skin infection. Cellulitis appears as a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender, and it may spread rapidly. This is because even a small infection raises your blood sugar level and that makes it harder for your immune system to fight infection.

If you have fever then you must see your doctor at the earliest. In the absence of fever you may wait a maximum day or two before seeing a doctor. Until then I suggest that you keep the wound area clean and dry and apply any topical antiseptic ointment over the region.

Debridement is essential only when the tissue in the wound is non-viable or infected. If there is healthy granulation tissue formation once treatment is started, then its best left undisturbed and the medications are allowed to work.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Note: For further follow-up it is advisable to consult an emergency medicine specialist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Vivek Chail

Radiologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 6874 Questions

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What Causes Itchy Bumos On Lower Leg When Suffering Fron Diabetes?

Brief Answer: I am worried should you be having cellulitis Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX Thanks for writing back with updated information. As you might be aware, people with diabetes are more prone for common skin lesions due to possible vascular insufficiency which can later develop infections like the one you describe. Possibility of cellulitis needs to be ruled out first from the above mentioned features. By definition cellulitis is a potentially serious bacterial skin infection. Cellulitis appears as a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender, and it may spread rapidly. This is because even a small infection raises your blood sugar level and that makes it harder for your immune system to fight infection. If you have fever then you must see your doctor at the earliest. In the absence of fever you may wait a maximum day or two before seeing a doctor. Until then I suggest that you keep the wound area clean and dry and apply any topical antiseptic ointment over the region. Debridement is essential only when the tissue in the wound is non-viable or infected. If there is healthy granulation tissue formation once treatment is started, then its best left undisturbed and the medications are allowed to work. Hope your query is answered. Do write back if you have any doubts.