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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Swelling And Redness On The Legs

On Sunday night, I called my doctor because of symptoms I suspected to be cellulitis of my left lower extremity (fever of 101.5 for 2 days, chills, achy joints, significant swelling, redness, pain in the lower left leg. The region was very warm to the touch, and had doubled I size within 24 hours). She sent me to the er to be evaluated for blood clots as well as cellulitis because I am obese and have an injury to my right leg that limits my mobility for the moment. My ultrasound was negative for blood clots, so the er doc gave me a script for clindamycin and sent me home. My fever is basically gone (temp is still slightly above my average at 99.4), and discomfort is better, but the swelling hasn t resolved at all, and the skin now has dark reddish-purple splotches. Is this within the normal range after 48 hours of treatment? Should I call my doctor again?
Tue, 4 Oct 2016
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,
Thank you for asking at HCM.
I carefully read your question and understand your concern.
I would say you are right. All that you explain are quite normal 2 days after Antibiotic treatment. It is obvious the doctor has done a great job and ordered the correct tests and gave you the right treatment.
By what you explain it is very likely you had infection of the skin (celulitis or erisipella). They are both bacterial in nature and antibiotics help a lot. Even though antibiotics help with infection it is the body itself that will need to heal the damage caused by the infection. It is common that after treatment with antibiotics is started we get a darker color of the skin where infection was there.
I would recommend you to:
1. Continue the treatment with antibiotics as prescribed for a minimum of 7 days but up to 10-14 days sometimes it is needed.
2. Be patient - if pain is getting better and fever is lowering you are going in the right direction
3. speak with a doctor if pain comes back, fever is worse or redness spreads- this means something is not going well
4. try to rest as needed but do not do bed rest as this puts you at risk for thrombosis so make sure you move the legs.
5. keep the leg elevated as much as you can to help with edema and pain
6. for any worsening or concerns you will need to speak with a doctor
Hope this is helpful and answers to your question

Best regards,

Dr Antoneta
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Suggest Treatment For Swelling And Redness On The Legs

Hello, Thank you for asking at HCM. I carefully read your question and understand your concern. I would say you are right. All that you explain are quite normal 2 days after Antibiotic treatment. It is obvious the doctor has done a great job and ordered the correct tests and gave you the right treatment. By what you explain it is very likely you had infection of the skin (celulitis or erisipella). They are both bacterial in nature and antibiotics help a lot. Even though antibiotics help with infection it is the body itself that will need to heal the damage caused by the infection. It is common that after treatment with antibiotics is started we get a darker color of the skin where infection was there. I would recommend you to: 1. Continue the treatment with antibiotics as prescribed for a minimum of 7 days but up to 10-14 days sometimes it is needed. 2. Be patient - if pain is getting better and fever is lowering you are going in the right direction 3. speak with a doctor if pain comes back, fever is worse or redness spreads- this means something is not going well 4. try to rest as needed but do not do bed rest as this puts you at risk for thrombosis so make sure you move the legs. 5. keep the leg elevated as much as you can to help with edema and pain 6. for any worsening or concerns you will need to speak with a doctor Hope this is helpful and answers to your question Best regards, Dr Antoneta