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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Warm Red Areas On The Skin?

I had my veins stripped in Aug. 1 of the 7 incisions did not heal. In Oct. my Dr. put me on a 5 day antibiotic because it was so red, swollen, warm to the touch, and I was getting sharp pains. The pain stopped slightly, when I called him back, he said he would send me to a wound care specialist. I am still waiting for the appt. Last night I noticed another incision site further up my leg was red all around it, warm to the touch, and a hard bump underneath the skin. So now I have 2 different areas that are red all around it, warm to the touch. Are they related? What do I do?
Mon, 30 Jan 2017
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Infectious Diseases Specialist 's  Response
Hello!
I have been through your question.
According your concern I think the diagnosis for the two cases is erysipelas. It is an infection of the upper and deeper dermis and superficial lymphatics, usually caused by Streptococcus bacteria on scratches or otherwise infected areas. It appears as a red, swollen, warm, and painful rash, similar in consistency to an orange peel. More severe infections can result in vesicles , blisters, and petechiae. The infection may occur on any part of the skin, including the face, arms, fingers, legs, and toes,but usually it tends to favour the extremities. You should know that people with immune deficiency, diabetes, alcoholism, fungal infections, and impaired lymphatic drainage,ulcers in the skin,surgical incisions are at increase risk to have erysipelas.
So, what I suggest in your case is a physical examination by an Infection Disease Specialist to find the proper reasons of this situation, to do a differential diagnosis with cellulitis and in the same time you should start antibiotics (usually I prescribe ampicillin or amoxicillin, or penicillin if you aren't allergic) prescribe by your doctor. Furthermore, you should try to rest as much as possible with the leg elevated above your hip (you may support your leg on some cushions while lying down). It is also important to drink plenty of fluids and to get up and walk around from time to time and taking ibuprofen if you have pain.

I hope my answer help you.
I wish you a quick recovery.

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What Causes Warm Red Areas On The Skin?

Hello! I have been through your question. According your concern I think the diagnosis for the two cases is erysipelas. It is an infection of the upper and deeper dermis and superficial lymphatics, usually caused by Streptococcus bacteria on scratches or otherwise infected areas. It appears as a red, swollen, warm, and painful rash, similar in consistency to an orange peel. More severe infections can result in vesicles , blisters, and petechiae. The infection may occur on any part of the skin, including the face, arms, fingers, legs, and toes,but usually it tends to favour the extremities. You should know that people with immune deficiency, diabetes, alcoholism, fungal infections, and impaired lymphatic drainage,ulcers in the skin,surgical incisions are at increase risk to have erysipelas. So, what I suggest in your case is a physical examination by an Infection Disease Specialist to find the proper reasons of this situation, to do a differential diagnosis with cellulitis and in the same time you should start antibiotics (usually I prescribe ampicillin or amoxicillin, or penicillin if you aren t allergic) prescribe by your doctor. Furthermore, you should try to rest as much as possible with the leg elevated above your hip (you may support your leg on some cushions while lying down). It is also important to drink plenty of fluids and to get up and walk around from time to time and taking ibuprofen if you have pain. I hope my answer help you. I wish you a quick recovery.