Skin infections - something us thyroid patients need to be alert to?

[HowNowWhatNow]

Yesterday I was diagnosed with a skin infection inside my leg.

I have a huge chunk of metal in that leg. I’ve been very lucky to avoid having a skin infection since it was put in - I had four, maybe five, maybe operations and all healed brilliantly.

I am on double x dose antibiotics for this infection, thanks to an out of hours GP who (miracle of miracles) was an orthopaedic surgeon until he retrained, who I saw last night. So I’m hoping it responds quickly. I was told to go to A&E for an X Ray if any of the symptoms worsen or I get a fever. I couldn’t get through to anyone at my own practice, hence 111.

This is the science bit -

Why would I have a skin infection now, and when I’ve only had a localised cellulitis before after a bee sting (in the same place), why here right where bone and metal join inside the leg? Where does it come from? Is it something thyroid patients are more likely to have?

Is this something you need a blood test/s for?

I’m guessing an undiagnosed UTI might potentially have led to me getting this. Is that likely? I have no idea how deep tissue infections develop out of the blue. Any other things to rule out or that help recovery? I’m elevating the leg and drinking lots of water in the absence of any advice.

I feel as if I am having high fevers even though the thermometer says I’m not - is this a thyroid thing?

If anyone knows please how these opportunist infections arise / what other problems to exclude / how far away from this type of antibiotic (fluxcloxacillin) I need to take my thyroxine (currently 2 hours), I’d be very grateful.

I recognise this is not pure thyroid territory and while am sure some have expertise / personal experience in this area, some won’t at all, so thanks for hearing me out!

[arTistapple]

Geogeor if I was you I would like to clearly know what is going on too. I don’t think I could sit and wait for antibiotics to work on a potentially deep tissue infection. How deep is deep? How would you feel about going for an X-ray anyway? Is there any reason to think that something has detached from the metal? There are situations when deep seated infections or foreign bodies start to work their way out of the body on their own. Bits that may have become essentially scar tissue. Stings even. This would be a form of self healing which could be entirely good. UTIs work in weird and wonderful ways and as people suffering thyroid - isms are definitely prone to get them. I want to help you but I feel frustrated. Treatment but no explanation from the medic?

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to arTistapple]

exactly right - treatment but no explanation

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

…which is of course better than no treatment, but without the explanation you don’t know what has been ruled in / out or indeed why you are unwell.

The UTI was my own guess, in the absence of any medical explainer from a doctor.

[arTistapple in reply to HowNowWhatNow]

Oh Geogeor I find myself NOT agreeing with treatment being better than no treatment, especially in the absence of a real diagnosis. We can chew the fat over that one! I know this sounds a bit basic but ingrown hair follicle? I have known of this happening. Not pionidal but in the thigh.

[helvella Administrator Thyroid UK]

This might not help at all, but they often have more comprehensive information and onward links.

DermNet NZ

DermNet NZ is the world’s free resource and authority on all things skin. We help thousands of people make informed, evidence-based decisions on how to care for skin conditions, by providing reliable information at the click of a button.

The site contains many pictures, covering a variety of seriousness, ages, skin colours, etc.

dermnetnz.org/

[HowNowWhatNow in reply to helvella]

thank you!!