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Tender Spot Inside Nostril, Fever, Swelling On Cheek. Taking Bactrim, Antibiotic Ointment. Is It Cellulitis?
5 days ago: Noticed tender spot inside left nostril while blowing nose. Upon observation, saw what appeared to be a pimple just inside nasal passage. Popped. Within 30-45 minutes, noticed that it had returned. Ceased further picking. Gently cleaned with peroxide and q-tip, applied triple antibiotic ointment.
4 days ago: After waking, initially noticed elevated sensitivity, but physical characteristics had not changed. Later in the evening, had the sensation that my upper lip was swollen. Upon inspection, noted that left side of nose and upper lip had become swollen and sensitive. Tightness in skin with the feeling of something underneath(i.e. mass/abcess) Believe symptoms to be signs of cellulitis. Began regular cleaning of area and application of triple-antibiotic ointment. Started on immune support supplements: vitamin c, zinc, magnesium, echinaccea, goldenseal. Started erythromycin 500mg every 12 hours.
3 days-yesterday: Swelling spread from left nostril down to jaw on left side, slight swelling on upper right cheek. No discoloration. Fever around 100. Started on naproxen sodium for fever, pain, and inflammation. Maintained previous medications.
Today: Morning: Visited nurse practitioner at local clinic. No definitive diagnosis given. Started Bactrim, one dose every 12 hours, alternating with erythromycin (i.e. 0000-eryth, 0600-bactrim, 1200-eryth, 1800-bactrim). Maintained previous medications. Evening: Although swelling is still over wide area, Started feeling pressure coming to central location around origin. Applied hydrocortisone cream to upper lip/nostril area. Shortly after, original sore in left nostril erupted, and pus began to slowly ooze from sore. Regularly cleaning as previously described and preventing contact with other parts of body. Second break inside of mouth, left side, where lip meets gums immediately below left nostril. No pus/drainage noticed.
Is this cellulitis? If not, what else could it be? Is the progression of infection normal and expected? Is my treatment adequate? Any suggestions to alter course of treatment?
4 days ago: After waking, initially noticed elevated sensitivity, but physical characteristics had not changed. Later in the evening, had the sensation that my upper lip was swollen. Upon inspection, noted that left side of nose and upper lip had become swollen and sensitive. Tightness in skin with the feeling of something underneath(i.e. mass/abcess) Believe symptoms to be signs of cellulitis. Began regular cleaning of area and application of triple-antibiotic ointment. Started on immune support supplements: vitamin c, zinc, magnesium, echinaccea, goldenseal. Started erythromycin 500mg every 12 hours.
3 days-yesterday: Swelling spread from left nostril down to jaw on left side, slight swelling on upper right cheek. No discoloration. Fever around 100. Started on naproxen sodium for fever, pain, and inflammation. Maintained previous medications.
Today: Morning: Visited nurse practitioner at local clinic. No definitive diagnosis given. Started Bactrim, one dose every 12 hours, alternating with erythromycin (i.e. 0000-eryth, 0600-bactrim, 1200-eryth, 1800-bactrim). Maintained previous medications. Evening: Although swelling is still over wide area, Started feeling pressure coming to central location around origin. Applied hydrocortisone cream to upper lip/nostril area. Shortly after, original sore in left nostril erupted, and pus began to slowly ooze from sore. Regularly cleaning as previously described and preventing contact with other parts of body. Second break inside of mouth, left side, where lip meets gums immediately below left nostril. No pus/drainage noticed.
Is this cellulitis? If not, what else could it be? Is the progression of infection normal and expected? Is my treatment adequate? Any suggestions to alter course of treatment?
Mon, 25 Nov 2013
Hi, thank you for posting.
Your problem is related with a nasal polyp. Swelling is caused by polyp complication, this happened during you were cleaning your nose.
I think that the cause is a microbe with high risk. Also the swelling is favored by nose tissues and high vascularisation.
The treatment is systemic and local. Use cefixim 200 mg 2x1 a day for 10 days.(*Use this only if you are not allergic to cephalosporin group.)
Also use flixonase nasal spray 40µg/ 2x1 a day (local treatment).
Use paracetamol 500mg 1 pill every 4 or 6 hours only when you have pain.
Contact an ORL(otorinolaringolog)
Take Care.
Your problem is related with a nasal polyp. Swelling is caused by polyp complication, this happened during you were cleaning your nose.
I think that the cause is a microbe with high risk. Also the swelling is favored by nose tissues and high vascularisation.
The treatment is systemic and local. Use cefixim 200 mg 2x1 a day for 10 days.(*Use this only if you are not allergic to cephalosporin group.)
Also use flixonase nasal spray 40µg/ 2x1 a day (local treatment).
Use paracetamol 500mg 1 pill every 4 or 6 hours only when you have pain.
Contact an ORL(otorinolaringolog)
Take Care.
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