Cellulitis concens

[Sat16]

Hi all. I was recently diagnosed with cellulitis after a leg procedure. 9 days after the procedure the leg pain got worse and notice discoloration (red), tightness in the leg and glossy. Went to the hospital and was admitted for 5 days with rounds of antibiotics every few hrs. While there it was getting better and discharged w Oral antibiotics for 7 more days. But I notice that the color remains. When I don’t touch it or I’m laying down it looks like my normal skin color. But if I stand and walk around for a while it turns pinkish at times pinkish brown, but no pain. I’m wondering if the cellulitis is still there after 14 days of antibiotics, coming back, or is it a normal process that the skin tone stays discolored until it is completely back to normal? Does someone know? First time ever with this and even hearing about it.

[Lynora]

The skin will remain discoloured - in some cases, after severe infection, in can remain visible for years!

Keep the legs well moisturised, and elevate them whenever you have the opportunity.

14 days of antibiotics is standard.

[Sat16 in reply to Lynora]

Thank you Lynora. I completed all the antibiotics Rx. When at home I try to elevate it and I’m applying aveeno lotion to get it moist. The discoloration gets more visible as the day progresses. No heat or spreading but still concerning.

[Chocolate-e-clare]

The discolouration will/should fade slowly. If the heat/redness return/increase, be alert for signs of a new infection. Do you have lymphoedema? If so, see a lymphoedema therapist/clinic for advice about self-care and prevention of cellulitis. Or ask us more questions! Welcome.

[Sat16 in reply to Chocolate-e-clare]

Hi Chocolate-e-Clare. Thank you for your answer. Brings me some peace of mind. I don’t suffe from lymphoedema that I know off. My legs originally got swollen from wearing compression garment after a cosmetic procedure on my body and this usually happens from what I’ve been told. But the cellulitis I’ve never experienced it b4 and this was the first time I heard about it. Usually when I get up the discoloration is very minimal but as the day goes and I’m walking around it seems to return a pinkish brownish color in the same area of both legs. No heat or actual pain happening but I’ve read so many ppl it returns after antibiotics intake that I’m concerned. Does this usually happen throughout the day?

[Lynora in reply to Sat16]

Yes, it does.

If the areas become red or warm to the touch, or if you begin to feel unwell, or your temperature increases, this could indicate reinfection. Go to A&E or call NHS 24.

Was your surgery successful? Any problems with wound healing?

[Sat16 in reply to Lynora]

Yes surgery went well. Just the normal discomfort of the procedure and wound healed good. Only problem was the infection 9 days after the surgery. And now have been dealing with the cellulitis even though I had antibiotics after the surgery, then when diagnosed with cellulitis I was kept at the hospital for 5 days with IV antibiotics. Never had a fever and then discharged with 7 days of antibiotics 2x per day. My skin overall is sensitive and bruises easily b4 all this to begin with. And when I touch the area it is no longer warm or hot to the touch but notice that the pinkish turns a little darker after touching. Not sure what it’s going on. Just for clarity, you said “yes it does” to my question of it returns after or was it to the “is it normal for the color to change during the day”? Oh and thank you for your concern and response

[Lynora in reply to Sat16]

I should have elaborated! Yes, the skin colour will fluctuate during the day. I have a scar following knee replacement surgery last summer. When I wake in the morning, it's almost invisible, but as soon as I'm up and showered, it's back to full glorious technicolour (well, purple/pink/red). It's not as bright as it was, and may take months to settle down completely. I can live with that - and the fact that I no longer have pain, I can definitely live with that too!

[Sat16 in reply to Lynora]

Thank you so much Lynora for elaborating and your overall response. It makes me feel more at ease knowing I’m not the only one experiencing these post infection symptoms and flair ups. Didn’t know this was such a headache to get rid off. I think I have ptsd after all this. I’m traumatized now. Lol. And indeed I could live with some discoloration until it completely goes back to normal. Only feet is coming back w a vengeance.

[mlt_burford]

Hi. I kept getting cellulitis every 6-8 weeks. After maybe a year of that. My GPS gave me antibiotics for just over a year. Having the cellulitis in the affected limb just meant that it could hide and then build up again. I have several pathways in my affected limb, aiding the cellulitis.

This is also a problem when getting bone infections in the affected limb. I had 2 in the knee and 1 in the hip, 18 months altogether. As soon as I was given all clear I was back the following week.

Apparently, cellulitis and bone infections are not related. But for 2 years they took it in turns.

[Sat16 in reply to mlt_burford]

Omg. That sounds horrible. Is this the norm with cellulitis or it just depends on the person’s health. Hoping it doesn’t return. And hope your has cleared up completely