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What Does Pain In Elbow Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 16 Feb 2015

Question: My daughter initially developed a painful area near her elbow . Over next several days she could feel a sm hard lump. Went to a walk in and took zpak with little improvement. Area seemed to move on her arm so she Went to pcp and was started on clindamycin . Area seemed to disappear when later that nice again developed sm hard lump with some redness on her arm . Again lump seemed in sl different area. Went to dermatologist today and had bx. And was started on minocycline. Md not sure of dx. Any ideas? She is 31

Answered by Dr. Hari Charan Perigela (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It looks like Folliculitis.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
As per your description, it looks like Folliculitis, infection of hair follicle. Because of the associated inflammation, it is red in colour.She responded to Clindamycin.
The source of infection could be from the nose for lesions over the face and Upper limb.
I prescribe Antibiotic like Clindamycin capsule along with anti inflammatory tablet to my patients with similar complaints.
I will send the blood for Culture and sensitivity .Complete course of the antibiotic may prevent the recurrence.
Hope I answered your query.
If you have any questions, I will clarify further.
Wish you good health.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Hari Charan Perigela (13 hours later)

I understand why you came up with that dx as I didn't explain the symptom as accurately asi should have. They are not Tiny red bumps this was a firm nodule approx 2cm that could be felt and the redness along the arm looked like a cellulitis hence the zpak and clindamycin she also had severe pain in her elbow this seemed to clear but that night showed up in a different area. Bx taken now on minocycline. Thoughts?

Answered by Dr. Hari Charan Perigela (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
It could be Infected sebaceous cyst.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

As per your description, it could be infected sebaceous cyst. It occurs in hair bearing areas. The infection may spread along the lymphatics and looks like Cellulitis.

If there is no response with Antibiotics and anti inflammatory tablets, it is better to excise the swelling and send for histopathological examination(Biopsy).

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari