OT- Cellulitis third time around

Hi all

Just thought I would check if anyone had any words of wisdom or knows anything about cellulitis
Cellulitis is a skin infection that affects every layer of the skin.
Quite often it is related to an impaired immune system.
The first time I just chalked it up to having my knee replaced, cause it happened about 3 weeks after.
The first time started out as a cold sore on my top lip, the second time about 6 weeks later was in my groin area and now I have it on the back of my leg.
It is so frustrating because it is very painful, drains so it has to be covered(especially when I'm at work LOL).
Try reaching the top, back of your leg to bandage it LOL
Anyway, I have been reading about it but can't really figure out why I keep getting it. If anyone has any ideas, I am open to hear them.
My knee replacement was Dec 7/10 and I have had cellulitis 3 times since then.

Have a great day all

Joyce,

I had it on my stomach after a hernia repair.  Did they put you on antibiotics?  I did a 10 day round of them and it went away but it was gross and itchy for days.  Mine never came back but the surgeon did say that often it will come back even after the 10 days.  No other words of wisdom here other than if you aren't on antibiotics for it, it may be worth a shot.

Hi Tracey,
The first one 10 days antibiotics and antibiotic ointment seemed to do it. The second time was really bad and I was on antibiotics for about a month(really strong dose).
This time he gave me a 10 day dose and it is cleaing nicely.

Jeezus Joyce, I"m sorry to hear you're suffering with that yet again.  I"m assuming your doc has you on antibiotics?  I"d be asking my doctor to do some investigating to get to the cause of why it's reoccurring.  Take care.

Hey Karen

I went back yesterday for the Doc to check it. He says it is clearing up.
He said "why do you keep getting this" LOL.
He keeps taking blood to see if there is anything and says it's all good. I go for a physical next week and he will do more extensive bloodwork..........

hehe
Yeah, not so reassuring when the docs ask US why things are happening.  I was really hoping that YOU might have a freakin' CLUE Doc! LOL

I had severe cellulitis a few years ago in my left leg. I got the infection that caused it from a hot tub.  I had a crack in my heal when I was in the hot tub and a little bacteria got in there and it just about killed me.   It went from my heel up to my knee and I was hospitalized for 8 days because I went septic.  It was by far the most painful thing I have ever had.  I was on 7 doses of IV antibiotics a day while in hospital, then 4 doses a day for 10 days after I was released.  Make sure you get it treated quickly because it spreads so fast.  They told me that once you get it your chances of getting it again are increased.  That's not to say that everyone gets it again.  I hope to god I never get it again.  I hope you feel better soon. :)

Get your doctor to do some swabs. You could have MRSA or VRSA- both difficult to resolve without the right treatment. I'd also add mega vit C- 5,000 mg a day for a while.

Hi Louise,

He has done the swabs, but I will try the vit C.
Thanks

Cellulitis is usually caused by either Strep A or by Staphylo****us.

Now, normally, antibiotics will clear it up, however it may very well linger and you can carry it in your nasal passages (where Strep lives in everyone) for many years.

You need to have swabs taken again and again.
Your physician needs to consult an infectious disease specialist. We  have many in the province - that shouldn't be a problem.

Unfortunately, with the resistance many bacteria have built up to antibiotics, it is not necessarily a given that your Cellulitis has been beaten. In fact these days it is quite possible that you've still got it.

http://www.skinsight.com/adult/cellulitis.htm has more information for you.
And I can tell you that the many labs in Ontario test for both Strep and Staph - and for the resistance your particular bugs may been built up. They'll be able to tell you which antibiotic wil work and which won't. Saves your physician guessing.

Take this seriously.
Can't stress that enough.