1. < Infectious Diseases

cellulitis

Posted by JJaye @jjaye, Nov 15, 2011

Prevention of cellulitis-anybody have ideas? I can't go off of certain meds that may be making the right internal environment for cellulitis. I was thinking of shin guards-ones that go on above slacks and ones that hide beneath that I can wear on my job. These would have to go around like lacrosse shin guards do. I wonder if any of yuo have made some of these to protect lower legs from bumps. All I have to do is bump my loser leg and get cellulitis. thanks!!

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amkaloha | @amkaloha | Jan 28, 2017
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hi @amkaloha, I can imagine how uncomfortable this must be! You will notice that I moved..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hi @amkaloha,
I can imagine how uncomfortable this must be! You will notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion about cellulitis. Please feel free to read through past messages, and tag other members, as some of them have talked about treatment options which don't include antibiotics.

How are you controlling it currently, from spreading to other parts? What steps have you taken to relieve the discomfort?

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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.

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amkaloha | @amkaloha | Jan 28, 2017
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hi @amkaloha, I can imagine how uncomfortable this must be! You will notice that I moved..." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hi @amkaloha,
I can imagine how uncomfortable this must be! You will notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion about cellulitis. Please feel free to read through past messages, and tag other members, as some of them have talked about treatment options which don't include antibiotics.

How are you controlling it currently, from spreading to other parts? What steps have you taken to relieve the discomfort?

Jump to this post

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

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amkaloha | @amkaloha | Jan 28, 2017
In reply to @pmack "I see there has been no activity on this for 6 months but I will add..." + (show)
@pmack

I see there has been no activity on this for 6 months but I will add my two cents anyway. You really should discuss this with your doc, each case is different. My cellulitis went septic (yeah the kind that can lead to death) so I have been very inspired to try to educate myself to prevent reoccurance, thankfully I do not have diabetes or an immune deficeiency which complicates things.
When I was in the hospital I started asking immediately about prevention but I did not get much response (they seemed to be preoccupied with keeping me alive) so I had to push. Eventually I got the most help from my dermatologist. I had swollen ankles so I now wear compression socks whenever I am awake, but you have to be very careful putting them on as you can cause an abrasion if you pinch yourself (keep your fingernails clipped close). This has reduced fluid build up in my lower leg dramatically which was a very good environment for infection. I also use a prescribed anti fungal cream daily between the toes(and for the rest of my life) to prevent athletes foot ( a common source of cellulitis infection). He also prescribed an ointment for a very occasional case of dyslaidrosis ecsema which if it shows up i get under control as quickly as possible. I use an prescribed antibiotic cream if I do get any kind of abrasion or scratch (I check for them daily). If I do have an sore which keeps me from wearing the socks I bandage the sore and then wrap my leg with horse wrap (available from your local farm store for a buck and a half).
After my bout with cellulitis my skin was thin fragile and discolored, so my dermatologist had me use amlactin cream daily (over the counter) to try to toughen it up, it seems to be slowly but progressively doing that. The amlactin will also remove dead skin and prevent dry cracked skin on both leg and feet which is also a source of infection.My hard dry feet are now as as smooth as a babies butt.
My infectious disease specialist has me on long term penicillin threapy (500 mg twice a day). There is some controversy over this approach, depends on who you talk to, but he seems to be comfortable with it.
To date this combination has been very sucessfull. Thankfully I also had a full recovery from the sepsis. Other than the compression socks and horse wrap and amlactin all these treatments are prescribed so as I said you need to work with your doc, I have three, a general practioner, dermatologist, and infectious disease specialist.
Hope this helps

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Thanks for the info on the horse bandages. I am one who cannot wear compression stockings although they have been recommended to me by many health care people. I cannot stand them nor can I get them on! So, this seems like it might be a good alternative for my swollen legs/feet. I could just begin around the foot and up the leg. The skin on my leg is very tough (hard) I think from the constant swelling and feels very 'tight.' I recently asked for an appointment at Mayo in FL to see if I could get some help from all these conditions.

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amkaloha | @amkaloha | Jan 28, 2017
In reply to @johnayz "I have a question about cellulitis. I had cellulitis for 6 months in 2013. I now..." + (show)
@johnayz

I have a question about cellulitis. I had cellulitis for 6 months in 2013. I now have a have a condition in both legs and ankles. There is fluid beneath the skin in multiple areas. This fluid is not affected by fluid pills. No local MD's have a clue. Any suggestions?

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My one doctor gave me diuretics for the fluid in my legs/feet, but it only messed up my urinary system; no help with the swelling. I need to get someone who knows this disease and can help. I've gone to countless health care persons, had tests for blood clots and blood flow and heart disease which come out negative but I STILL have the swelling. This is why I have asked for an appointment at Mayo. Good luck to you.

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bmasten | @bmasten | Jan 29, 2017
In reply to @johnayz "I have a question about cellulitis. I had cellulitis for 6 months in 2013. I now..." + (show)
@johnayz

I have a question about cellulitis. I had cellulitis for 6 months in 2013. I now have a have a condition in both legs and ankles. There is fluid beneath the skin in multiple areas. This fluid is not affected by fluid pills. No local MD's have a clue. Any suggestions?

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good luck hope you find the right doctor.

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liltazzzz | @liltazzzz | Apr 29, 2023
In reply to @bmasten "i keep it soft with bag balm if i do have a flare up i use..." + (show)
@bmasten

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.

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I have been dealing with this for 2 years want it to go away! The pain. Well I am going to try bag balm thank you

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1 reply
anjalima | @anjalima | Aug 14, 2023
In reply to @liltazzzz "I have been dealing with this for 2 years want it to go away! The pain...." + (show)
@liltazzzz

I have been dealing with this for 2 years want it to go away! The pain. Well I am going to try bag balm thank you

Jump to this post

How did that work out?

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