i keep it soft with bag balm if i do have a flare up i use antibiotics the way i understand it your skin gets dried out and bacteria enters the skin. hope this is helpful.

Thanks Kana... I tried to find 'cellulitis' in the search engine but nothing came up, so I started that thread. Glad you found me some kindred souls! Yes, it is uncomfortable, especially the swelling as my legs feel so stiff. That, added to my neuropathy and arthritic knees, and I can't get around too well (or not without a lot of pain!) I have not read this thread yet, so am anxious to see what others have to say.

You ask what I have tried. I began with coconut oil with essential oils noted for their antibacterial and fungal qualities. I knew I had to keep the patches lubricated so I tried a few lotions without harmful ingredients in them, then went to soveriegn silver which soothed a bit but not for long, comfrey cream--no help, and then I went for the big guns: an anti biotic and anti fungal prescription cordisone cream (I had it from a previous condition) that goes for $200 a tube which didn't seem to work either. I have just requested an appointment at Mayo in Florida to see if I can't get some relief.

Thanks bmasten. Bag balm is the only thing I didn't try but I wasn't sure about using it due to the redness.