Cellulitis is back

[Dojo2927]

Hello my lymphedema friends

Got a question I had cellulitis back in August I got it from shaving my legs and I had a cut on my leg.....well it looks like it came back had no cuts no scrapes no bug bites nothing...... is this normal? I'm in the states so I went to the ER last night they wanted to keep me but I could not stay......I have a special needs son (Down syndrome) my friend is staying with him today so I can go back and be admitted..... but my question is if it's normal for it to come back and is this going to be a reoccurring situation

[AnneBury]

It is not always obvious why the cellulitis has come back. It could be any tiny break in the skin you are not even aware of. Some people just seem to be more prone to cellulitis and have no idea why. Patients with recurrent cellulitis are often put on long term antibiotics. This happened to my sister. She kept getting cellulitis. She was put on antibiotics but cellulitis kept coming back. She was then put on double dose antibiotics (by a leading UK lymphoedema specialist). She still takes them (several years) and has not had a reoccurance. She has learning disabilities so is not as alert as she might be to breaks in the skin, but lets hope her double dose antibiotics carry on doing the trick.

[Dojo2927 in reply to AnneBury]

My prayers are with ur sister..... thank u for ur words

[galtyboi]

Hi Dojo, you need to moisturise your legs regularly. There are many different types of moisturiser available, my Gp prescribed Hydromol which can be diluted in water and used as a soap.I too had cellulitis but keeping my legs moisturised has kept it away, hope this helps.

[Dojo2927 in reply to galtyboi]

Thank u so much..... I use shea butter gold bond...... even though I have cellulitis I can put cream on my leg

[Lynora]

Yes to all your questions! It can occur spontaneously. Go back and get it treated - if it is a serious infection IV would be the most appropriate treatment, but as you have a dependent child, perhaps they could offer oral antibiotics for 14 days?

[Dojo2927 in reply to Lynora]

I'm going back today...... thank u for ur feed back ❤️❤️❤️

[Lycoming]

So sorry to hear of your problems unfortunately this will be an ongoing situation it is not at all unusual the only hope is that when you think it may be coming back you would have an understanding physician who would put you on anabiotic right away thus alleviating the necessity to go to a hospital and have IV medication.Good luck to you.

[Dojo2927 in reply to Lycoming]

Thank you 😊

[lovesradio]

When I was diagnosed with lymhoedema I was told only to ever use an electric razor to avoid the risk of even tiny nicks to the skin. Mine is arm lymph so it was more to do with shaving underarm, but I have applied the advice overall!!

[gerald1984]

The leg/foot is vulnerable make sure they are clean dry and moisturised Watch out for potential dangers eg bare feet in shower /changing rooms , hazardous plants and places. I always carry small can of spray.

[Taffia]

Yes it does come back. The first time I had it I had split a cuticle on my thumb. A year later another bout but no cuts or marks to be seen. I now have an emergency pack of antibiotics I take with me on holiday.

[L2tr]

I have had many attack’s of cellulitis 2 being in the last 4 months, the only bout I can account for is the first time I got it and that was 8 years ago when I sustained an injury to my leg. So I think some people are just prone to it.

[Dojo2927 in reply to L2tr]

Wow.....thank u for ur feed back .... ❤best of luck to u

[L2tr in reply to Dojo2927]

You take care x

[Dojo2927 in reply to L2tr]

Right back at cha

[tenerifeprincess]

Cellulitis is a law unto itself sometimes. You can search every inch of your arm/leg for damage and find nothing! Unfortunately, it's not always a scratch, or bite. Sometimes it's a reoccurring infection that simply hasn't fully recovered even after a course of antibiotics. It's happened to me twice this year. No obvious signs of cause, but the usual quick onset of red blotches usually coupled with "flu like" symptoms and you know it's back! Immediate antibiotics is the answer for me(always have a supply close by). Might I suggest you "treat yourself" to a nice electric razor for your legs. Very dicey using a ordinary razor when you have lymphoedema! ;o)

[Dojo2927 in reply to tenerifeprincess]

Thank You for ur feed back......I have bought and electric razor For some reason I'm still nervous using it but I will soon because the hairs on my way are extremely long I have antibiotics on hand now the doctor gave me extra..... 😊😊😊😊

[tenerifeprincess in reply to Dojo2927]

Go for it! Life is too short. Try and lead as normal a life as possible(being a little bit sensible of course!)😉 Love and best wishes to you 🦋

[Dojo2927 in reply to tenerifeprincess]

🙏🏼🙏🏼😘😘

[LATONYAH213 in reply to Dojo2927]

You should you hair removal cream because the slightest cut can cause you cellulitis.

[Dojo2927 in reply to LATONYAH213]

I thought of hair cream removal would burn my leg have you used it before

[gingaling_b]

Hi Dojo. I've had cellulitus for the last month n it's been hell on earth to say the least.. !! I feel well in myself in general but right at the back at the bottom if both my legs the skin is red raw n very painful n stingy.. finally the lymphedema nurse is out n has bith legs in compression. Relief at last.. I hope yours settles n you're feeling ok.

[LATONYAH213]

I pray everything goes well for you. I have lymphadema in my lower leftand have had cellulitis a few times. You should check between and under your toes very well because one time qhen my leg was infected it stemmed from a crack in between my toes.

[Dojo2927 in reply to LATONYAH213]

Thank you so much for your input... I pray every day it don’t come back...... I moisturize my leg and foot every night..... can’t do it during the day....Lotion on my legs is extremely difficult to get my stocking on that’s why only do it at night

[Dojo2927]

Thank you so much for your input... I pray every day it don’t come back...... I moisturize my leg and foot every night..... can’t do it during the day....Lotion on my legs is extremely difficult to get my stocking on that’s why only do it at night