Cellulitis Advice

Stormin Mormon said:

A friend of mine is suffering cellulitis. about three
years ago, she went hiking, and went in some muddy water
to cool off.

Three days later, her legs grew to huge, totally over
sized thickness. Skin shiny and hard. Quite red down by
ankles. Ankles and feet ordinary size.

The doctors diagnosed "cellulitis". I had a net search,
and this seems to be a cellular bacterial infection. She's
been on antibiotics since then. At least once.

Is cellulitis something that clears, and the size goes
down later? Or is she stuck with very large, inflexible
legs for the rest of her life?

Where was she hiking? Were parasites ruled out?
Cellulitis should clear up promptly--if the correct
antibiotic was used. She's not diabetic, is she?

Steve

--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS dentaltwins.comdentaltwins.comOpen ↗
Brooklyn, NY

Stormin Mormon said:

Is cellulitis something that clears, and the size goes
down later? Or is she stuck with very large, inflexible
legs for the rest of her life?

If it is indeed cellulitis, her symptoms should resolve once
the infection clears.

Stormin Mormon said:

A friend of mine is suffering cellulitis. about three
years ago, she went hiking, and went in some muddy water
to cool off.

Three days later, her legs grew to huge, totally over
sized thickness. Skin shiny and hard. Quite red down by
ankles. Ankles and feet ordinary size.

The doctors diagnosed "cellulitis". I had a net search,
and this seems to be a cellular bacterial infection. She's
been on antibiotics since then. At least once.

Is cellulitis something that clears, and the size goes
down later? Or is she stuck with very large, inflexible
legs for the rest of her life?

Despite what other people have written in this thread,
cellulitis can permanently damage the lymphatics of the leg
and lead to permanent leg swelling. That said, it would be
extremely unusual for cellulitis to occur in both legs at
the same time.

--
David Rind [email hidden]

Stormin Mormon said:

A friend of mine is suffering cellulitis. about three
years ago, she went hiking, and went in some muddy water
to cool off.

Three days later, her legs grew to huge, totally over
sized thickness. Skin shiny and hard. Quite red down by
ankles. Ankles and feet ordinary size.

Quoted message said:

The doctors diagnosed "cellulitis". I had a net search,
and this seems to be a cellular bacterial infection. She's
been on antibiotics since then. At least once.

Well, Merck (or another webpage) says it's supposed to be
treated immediately and I suppose if she had breaks in her
skin or scrapes she could have gotten it in both legs..

merck.comcOpen ↗
h211b.jsp Symptoms of cellulitis usually disappear after a
few days of antibiotic therapy. However, symptoms often get
worse before they get better, probably because with the
death of the bacteria, substances that cause tissue damage
are released. When this occurs, the body continues to react
even though the bacteria are dead. Antibiotics are
continued for 10 days or longer even though the symptoms
may disappear earlier."

So I'm unsure what you mean by "at least once on
antibiotics". Did she not continue the antibiotics? If
that's what she has, maybe now she has to have "intravenous
antibiotics" ? (and "Also, the affected part of the body,
when possible, is kept immobile and elevated to help reduce
swelling. Cool, wet dressings applied to the infected area
may relieve discomfort."😉

I have to wonder why this was left for 3 years and whether
she stopped (or didn't renew) her appointments with her
doctor for more antibiotics?

J

Somewhere in central NY state.

I don't know the details of which parasites were found, or
what lab work was done.

I don't think she takes insulin or anything for diabetes. I
could ask, of course.

--

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org
www.mormons.com

"Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS" <[email hidden]>
wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Where was she hiking? Were parasites ruled out? Cellulitis
should clear up promptly--if the correct antibiotic was
used. She's not diabetic, is she?

Steve

--
Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS dentaltwins.comdentaltwins.comOpen ↗
Brooklyn, NY

David Rind said:

Despite what other people have written in this thread,
cellulitis can permanently damage the lymphatics of the
leg and lead to permanent leg swelling.

Possible. Not typical for simple cellulitis, though.

Quoted message said:

That said, it would be extremely unusual for cellulitis to
occur in both legs at the same time.

It actually sounds more like erysipelas than simple
cellulitis. But then, that's about all I can say having not
actually seen it.

David Rind said:

Stormin Mormon said:

A friend of mine is suffering cellulitis. about three
years ago, she went hiking, and went in some muddy water
to cool off.

Oh, wait a sec...I just realized that the patient's initial
presentation was three *years* ago (at first blush I thought
it was three *days*). Obviously, there's something more
chronic going on here than a straightforward cellulitis
(probably venous insufficiency, if not lymphedema).

Well, I'm not a doctor, nor do I have any active medical
certification. But I assure you both her legs have the same
very large size, and the same deep red coloring from ankles
to nearly knees. That is, if my memory is working. Politely,
I do try not to stare.

--

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org
www.mormons.com

"David Rind" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

url='news:'news:/url... Stormin Mormon said:

A friend of mine is suffering cellulitis. about three

years

Quoted message said:

ago, she went hiking, and went in some muddy water to
cool off.

Three days later, her legs grew to huge, totally over

sized

Quoted message said:

thickness. Skin shiny and hard. Quite red down by ankles.
Ankles and feet ordinary size.

The doctors diagnosed "cellulitis". I had a net search,

and

Quoted message said:

this seems to be a cellular bacterial infection. She's

been

Quoted message said:

on antibiotics since then. At least once.

Is cellulitis something that clears, and the size goes

down

Quoted message said:

later? Or is she stuck with very large, inflexible legs

for

Quoted message said:

the rest of her life?

Despite what other people have written in this thread,
cellulitis can permanently damage the lymphatics of the leg
and lead to permanent leg swelling. That said, it would be
extremely unusual for cellulitis to occur in both legs at
the same time.

--
David Rind [email hidden]

The once I know of was a couple weeks ago, when she was
on vacomycin for systemic infection. Started with an
ingrown toe nail after a nurse trimmed her toe nails
waaaaaaay too far back.

I don't know the details about the early antibiotic regimen.
I'll ask and let you know.

--

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org
www.mormons.com

"J" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]... Stormin Mormon

Quoted message said:

A friend of mine is suffering cellulitis. about three

years

Quoted message said:

ago, she went hiking, and went in some muddy water to
cool off.

Three days later, her legs grew to huge, totally over

sized

Quoted message said:

thickness. Skin shiny and hard. Quite red down by ankles.
Ankles and feet ordinary size.

Quoted message said:

The doctors diagnosed "cellulitis". I had a net search,

and

Quoted message said:

this seems to be a cellular bacterial infection. She's

been

Quoted message said:

on antibiotics since then. At least once.

Well, Merck (or another webpage) says it's supposed to be
treated immediately and I suppose if she had breaks in her
skin or scrapes she could have gotten it in both legs..

merck.comcOpen ↗
h211b.jsp Symptoms of cellulitis usually disappear after a
few days of antibiotic therapy. However, symptoms often get
worse before they get better, probably because with the
death of the bacteria, substances that cause tissue damage
are released. When this occurs, the body continues to react
even though the bacteria are dead. Antibiotics are
continued for 10 days or longer even though the symptoms
may disappear earlier."

So I'm unsure what you mean by "at least once on
antibiotics". Did she not continue the antibiotics? If
that's what she has, maybe now she has to have "intravenous
antibiotics" ? (and "Also, the affected part of the body,
when possible, is kept immobile and elevated to help reduce
swelling. Cool, wet dressings applied to the infected area
may relieve discomfort."😉

I have to wonder why this was left for 3 years and whether
she stopped (or didn't renew) her appointments with her
doctor for more antibiotics?

J

Stormin Mormon said:

Somewhere in central NY state.

I don't know the details of which parasites were found, or
what lab work was done.

I don't think she takes insulin or anything for diabetes.
I could ask, of course.

I was thinking something more tropical when you said
she was hiking in water. Don't know if there are any
parasites that are a risk from doing this in NY
State. The description sounded a little like
elephantiasis to me, which is why I asked. Clearly
her internist should be able to make an appropriate
referral. I certainly would pursue this, and not
leave it alone.

Good luck, Steve

It's a big help -- I'm very ignorant at the moment. Thank
you very kindly.

--

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org
www.mormons.com

"Griffin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:2004062218582816807%nospam@herenet... On 2004-06-
22 18:51:32 -0400, David Rind

Quoted message said:

Despite what other people have written in this thread,

cellulitis

Quoted message said:

can permanently damage the lymphatics of the leg and lead

to

Quoted message said:

permanent leg swelling.

Possible. Not typical for simple cellulitis, though.

Quoted message said:

That said, it would be extremely unusual for cellulitis to
occur in both legs at the same time.

It actually sounds more like erysipelas than simple
cellulitis. But then, that's about all I can say having not
actually seen
it.

Yes, she's spent much of the last three years in a nursing
home, she's not quite old enough for that. Late 40's. But as
you can guess, she has a lot of trouble walking.

Someone at the NH cut her toe nails way far back. I have
personally done battle with ingrown toe nails for aobu 10
years. After some net research I find out why (I cut them
too far back, and then my podiatrists further cut them back;
even to the point of several phenol treatments to cut the
sides back).

I could see all the signs of ingrown toe nails. but she's
not my patient, and I'm powerless except to offer lots of
sympathy. One got infected, she was on vancomycin IV for
several days. So, from what I can see on the net, that
oughta took care of any bacterial cellulitis.

--

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org
www.mormons.com

"Griffin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:2004062219054575249%nospam@herenet... On 2004-06-
22 18:51:32 -0400, David Rind

Quoted message said:

Stormin Mormon said:

A friend of mine is suffering cellulitis. about three

years

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

ago, she went hiking, and went in some muddy water to

cool

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

off.

Oh, wait a sec...I just realized that the patient's initial
presentation was three *years* ago (at first blush I thought
it was three *days*). Obviously, there's something more
chronic going on here than a straightforward cellulitis
(probably venous insufficiency, if not lymphedema).

Well, it is very possible they missed the diagnosis. Seeing
as how she's not had any relief in three years.

Supposing for the sake of discussion she does have
elephantitis. What's the cause, prognosis, and is she
contagious if in a swimming pool (for example)?

--

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org
www.mormons.com

"Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS" <[email hidden]>
wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Stormin Mormon said:

Somewhere in central NY state.

I don't know the details of which parasites were found, or
what lab work was done.

I don't think she takes insulin or anything for diabetes.

I

Quoted message said:

could ask, of course.

I was thinking something more tropical when you said she was
hiking in water. Don't know if there are any parasites that
are a risk from doing this in NY State. The description
sounded a little like elephantiasis to me, which is why I
asked. Clearly her internist should be able to make an
appropriate referral. I certainly would pursue this, and not
leave it alone.

Good luck, Steve

Stormin Mormon said:

Well, it is very possible they missed the diagnosis.
Seeing as how she's not had any relief in three years.

Supposing for the sake of discussion she does have
elephantitis. What's the cause, prognosis, and is she
contagious if in a swimming pool (for example)?

I don't think she has to worry about picking up
elephatiasis in upstate NY. Sounds like she's had
medical care. Did she get any useful information?

Steve

Thanks for the follow up. Havn't seen her since our last
email. I'm scheduled to see her Thursday the 24th in the
afternoon for a visit, and may be there today (23rd, Wed)
some time.

--

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org
www.mormons.com

"Steven Bornfeld" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message "]news:[email hidden]...

I don't think she has to worry about picking up elephatiasis
in upstate NY. Sounds like she's had medical care. Did she
get any useful information?

Steve

Ok, back from the hospital. I did talk to her. She says the
cellulitis has been cleared up long time ago.

Now the diagnosis is lympodema. Poor circulation.

Wish I knew that a couple days ago.

--

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org
www.mormons.com

"Steven Bornfeld" <[email hidden]> wrote in
message "]news:[email hidden]...

Stormin Mormon said:

Well, it is very possible they missed the diagnosis.

Seeing

Quoted message said:

as how she's not had any relief in three years.

Supposing for the sake of discussion she does have
elephantitis. What's the cause, prognosis, and is she
contagious if in a swimming pool (for example)?

I don't think she has to worry about picking up elephatiasis
in upstate NY. Sounds like she's had medical care. Did she
get any useful information?

Steve

Stormin Mormon said:

Ok, back from the hospital. I did talk to her. She says
the cellulitis has been cleared up long time ago.

Now the diagnosis is lympodema. Poor circulation.

Wish I knew that a couple days ago.

Thanks for the update. Sorry, I don't know how it's
treated, hopefully others will.

Steve

I did some net search. I find that th ere are three stages
of lympodema.

Mild, moderate, and permanant. I did not tell her this,
but she shows signs of late 3rd stage, discolored,
fibrous, and all that.

Treatments are various. Get off your feet, elevate,
compression, and some kind of gadget with pulsating
compression. And a medication I didn't recognize.

But the prognosis for late stage three isn't pretty. She's
got her mind on the compression pulsation gadget she hears
is at another hospital. I'm not going to discourage any
treatment that is relevant, and has a chance of working.

I'm not a doctor. I don't even have a first aid card. At the
moment, I have absoloutely no authority or no desire to dim
her hopes.

Again, I thank you for your counsell.

--

Christopher A. Young Learn more about Jesus www.lds.org
www.mormons.com

"Mark & Steven Bornfeld DDS" <[email hidden]>
wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

Stormin Mormon said:

Ok, back from the hospital. I did talk to her. She says

the

Quoted message said:

cellulitis has been cleared up long time ago.

Now the diagnosis is lympodema. Poor circulation.

Wish I knew that a couple days ago.

Thanks for the update. Sorry, I don't know how it's treated,
hopefully others will.

Steve