I have a severe case of cellulitus. amputation was in argument between two of my doctors. opinions?

Cellulitis: Usually not a standard of care for cellulitis . If there is a component of fasciitis or osteomyelitis then the argument for amputation becomes stronger. You may need long term antibiotics via a vein catheter.

More info needed: Even clinically severe cellulitis is relatively easy to treat with short courses of antimicrobials when caused by staph or most likely strep. If amputation is considered, infection is likely deeper in the fascial planes. Did you improve on therapy?

That's a tough one.: Being that you're a young person, I'd obviously try to avoid an amputation at all costs. That being said, there are infections that can be potentially fatal and for which an amputation would truly be a life-saving measure so don't take the situation too lightly. Just be sure that there are no other options available to you for treatment.

Not usual: Amputations are last resort to control life threatening infections causing sepsis and systemic problems like hypotension fever and elevated white count when drainage of abcess not enough usually also used against drug resistant organisms in compromised host like MRSA or pseudomonas cellulitis rarely causes systemic symptoms if you have them look for the abscess one exception is strept prefringens

Necrotizing skin: You may have a case of necrotizing fasciitis due to flesh eating bacteria. This can be a life threatening infection and amputation is discussed during this type of clinical scenario. The physicians will take you to the operating room to incise and drain the infection if possible and give you course of IV antibiotics to hopefully avoid that eventuality.