Question 1

i had a lateral release on my knee 5 months ago, got cellulitis immediately after surgery and now my knee is warm to the touch.  could it be infected?

Accepted Answer

Yes.: Go back to your surgeon to have it examined. It may not be, but the risk of waiting is not worth it.

Question 2

what is cellulitis of the leg and does it have anything to do with cellulite?

Accepted Answer

An infection and no.: Cellulitis is an infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by a small or microscopic break in the skin that allows staphylococcus or streptococcus colonizing the skin to enter and cause infection.  It has nothing to do with cellulite which describes subcutaneous fat.

Question 3

how long does the leg that had cellulitis take tocalm down abd not be so swollen?

Accepted Answer

Inflammation: This is highly variable.  Depends on the cause of the cellulitis, the appropriateness of the antibiotic therapy, the extent of involvement and the overall health of the patient.  Swelling may persist for weeks, even if the infection has cleared, and more if it has not been entirely eliminated.

Question 4

what is cellulitis in the leg?

Accepted Answer

This is a : Soft tissue infection often manifesting with redness, swelling and heat. Pain may be present as well.

Question 5

would it hurt if i put ice or soak my leg with cellulitis?

Accepted Answer

Won't hurt: Probably won't hurt it -- but when you place ice on something it constricts the vessels to that area.  Problem is, when you remove the cold, and it rewarms, the vessels tend to dilate even more, and your injury may throb more, swell with increased flow.

Question 6

my sister has cellulitis in her leg. will she lose her leg if it continues to spread? how can it be treated?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: Limb loss for cellulitis is very rare. Treatment is antibiotics and evaluation by a doctor. Higher risk populations include diabetics.

Question 7

i had cellulitis 3 months ago and now have it again! same leg but on other side of that leg. why am i getting it so often all the sudden?

Accepted Answer

Cellulitis: Have you had blood culture?  Bugs might be resistant to antibiotics you may have got. Also depends how long you had taken antibiotics.

Question 8

in the past six months i've had cellulitis three times. the first two were on one leg and 2 months apart and the third one is on other leg. why recur?

Accepted Answer

Skin colonized: each of us carry bacteria on our skin.  when I have patients that have recurrent cellulitis I try to give them mechanisms to cleanse the skin periodically.  this could be discussed with any of our willing doctors during a virtual consult. hope this helps.

Question 9

should i wear compression stockings after having cellulitis on my leg?

Accepted Answer

OK after resolution: Compression stocking is useful to help reduce edema (swelling) of the legs.  However, if you have active cellulitis (infection of the skin), the pressure from compression stocking may cause further inflammation. Instead, during an active infection, i generally recommend leg elevation to reduce swelling.  Once the infection is resolved, then you can resume using you're compression stocking.

Question 10

diagnosed with cellulitis on lower leg. will be 2 days until i will have a car to get to pharmacy. is it ok to postpone?

Accepted Answer

Not really: It's better to start your antibiotics ASAP. If you can have a friend or family member pick up your prescription it would be best. Cellulitis can progress quickly. I would strongly advise that you have someone get your prescription for you.

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Doctor answers about:

Infected cellulitis of the leg

A member asked:

I had a lateral release on my knee 5 months ago, got cellulitis immediately after surgery and now my knee is warm to the touch. could it be infected?

A member asked:

What is cellulitis of the leg and does it have anything to do with cellulite?

A member asked:

How long does the leg that had cellulitis take tocalm down abd not be so swollen?

A member asked:

What is cellulitis in the leg?

A member asked:

Would it hurt if i put ice or soak my leg with cellulitis?

A member asked:

My sister has cellulitis in her leg. will she lose her leg if it continues to spread? how can it be treated?

A member asked:

I had cellulitis 3 months ago and now have it again! same leg but on other side of that leg. why am i getting it so often all the sudden?

A member asked:

In the past six months i've had cellulitis three times. the first two were on one leg and 2 months apart and the third one is on other leg. why recur?

A member asked:

Should i wear compression stockings after having cellulitis on my leg?

A member asked:

Diagnosed with cellulitis on lower leg. will be 2 days until i will have a car to get to pharmacy. is it ok to postpone?

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