Anyone know anything about cellulitis?

[Timefortruth]

Last Thursday I burned my arm, it was a minor burn about 1-1/2 inches around. I took good care of it but it became infected anyway, so I saw the doctor yesterday and was given 5 days of Cephalexin. The doctor described the infection as minor.

This morning when I got up the red area around the burn extended 8 inches,it has spread maybe a half inch more during the day, recently a blister came up far away from the burn. I called the doctor and told them about this development and was told I could come in tomorrow, not to worry, sometimes antibiotics take a while to work.

My son has had cellulitis and my arm looks exactly like his cellulitis did, but the pediatrician seemed concerned.

Should I be worried? And if so what should I do?

[MaineDem]

1. I tend to get cellulitis with bug bites

They give me at least 10 days of Keflex and it clears up.

Once I had to go to the ER and get it by IV. It wasn't pleasant. But they're right about the antibiotics taking a while to work but I would think from Thursday to now should have been enough time. I'm glad you're going to see the doc tomorrow.

Good luck

[damnraddem]

2. Get to a doctor STAT.

Cellulitis is serious business -- and can be very, very painful. When my wife had it in her leg, surgeons had to cut it open -- then I did wound care for weeks until it healed up, leaving a scar.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. What strength Keflex? Usually it's a 10 day course for an adult

at least 750 mg a day. Infections are more opportunistic in children than adults so if your son was young at the time that would explain the pediatrician's concerns.

I would be vigilant and in addition to the Keflex, if you have an open wound still wash it in betadine (just soak it...iodine is nature's anti-biotic) DO go back tomorrow and have it cultured...I'd rather not be alarmist with possible complications but they do exist and can be serious which is why the proper dosage of anti-biotics is important...in my experience with specialists I have consulted for clients, again it should be a 10 day course...750 mg a day

[Timefortruth]

5. The cephalexin is 500mg capsules to be taken 3 times a day.

Who knows why she only prescribed them for 5 days, maybe it didn't look that bad to her yesterday.

It is really starting to hurt, I'd hate to go to the ER (my only choice) with an appointment in the am. Also, I don't want to seem alarmist by seeking treatment tonight. Would it be alarmist?

Thanks.

[Deja Q]

4. Is it a big lump? Any red streaks along the area of infection?

If there's a lump, it needs to be drained and fast. (forgot to add what's said in subject line) If the red streaks are there, go to the ER *********NOW********* as you are dangerously close to blood poisoning, which is ultimately fatal as blood poisoning spreads the infection to EVERY organ in your body. Even the fun ones.

The doctor is a pig for not referring you to someone who can lance it, assuming it was sufficiently large to lance (which isn't much)...

Even my doc decided a lump (cellulitis brought about by scratching the eczema) was mere inflammation and nothing serious. :eyes: x( (bullshit, I have a frigging history of eczema and each time the redness comes, so does the lump and burning painful feeling and it has to be lanced and pronto!!) I managed to lance it myself and am improving.

But those cysts are not good to have, especially if the infection manages to get to your bloodstream.

[Timefortruth]

6. Wow, I answered the earlier post without having read the all the answers.

There isn't anything to lance, the burn is an open sore and the red skin around it is puffy but not fluid filled. There is one small blister which hasn't changed much in the last few hours.

Thanks.

[Red State Rebel]

7. Is that the modern medical term for Blood Poisoning?

It sounds like the same symptoms, problems.

I used to get it on a semi-regular basis when I was a teenager - my blood didn't fight infection well was what I was told. Worse case was in the entire left leg when I spent 5 days in the hospital. (Darn blister on my toe from being on pointe in ballet) I didn't know anything was wrong but got up one morning to go to school and passed out on the toilet!

I've seen some nasty cases before, but Cephalexin is a kick butt anti-biotic so I would think you should be ok. Just keep on top of the progress. When I was in the hospital they would come in with an ink pen and mark how far the redness had spread, you might want to do that so you can tell for sure when it starts clearing up.

The blister is not unusual, I've seen that in cases before.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

8. No that's sepsis

As of yet this person doesn't have that diagnosis but could if it's not attended...as long as they follow even the smallest dose of kephlex that should not happen but there are other complications that can occur from cellulitis if all the infection does not resolve...especially in a limb...everything form heart disease to bone infection...so it's important to follow the correct dosage of meds and even take two courses if necessary.