OpenHealth Q&A

Need Guidance on Possible Vasculitis Symptoms

I'm reaching out on behalf of my father, who is 60 years old and lives in the UK. He does not have any known allergies. His current medications include long-term warfarin due to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in both legs, a new course of flucloxacillin started yesterday, and dermovate cream, which he first applied the same day. On Friday, he showed me a small dark spot on his leg that had a pitted appearance in the center, but there was no rash or inflammation in the surrounding skin. I should note that the color of the spot was not as dark as what you might see in the attached photo. By Saturday, he developed a rash, along with symptoms like cold sweats and general discomfort. His leg felt hot to the touch, prompting us to contact the out-of-hours GP. They recommended that we seek urgent medical attention. After examination, the doctor checked his vital signs, which were all normal, but they suspected vasculitis and didn't want to dismiss the possibility of cellulitis. As a precaution, they prescribed antibiotics and a steroid cream. Additionally, they reached out to his regular GP to arrange a dermatologist consultation regarding the darkened leg spot to rule out any serious issues, such as an ulcer or cellulitis. We were advised to get back in touch with our GP if no improvement was seen. Today, the rash has noticeably spread and appears much redder than before. His leg is significantly more swollen and tender, and the dark spot has enlarged and darkened compared to previous days. Unfortunately, it's a bank holiday, and his regular GP won't be available until Tuesday. While I understand that the antibiotic treatment and cream have not been administered long enough to expect immediate results, the condition of the rash and spot has intensified considerably overnight. Should I wait until Tuesday to contact the GP and allow some time for the antibiotics to take effect, or would it be better to seek urgent medical care before then? Thank you in advance for your advice.

Answers (1)

7/27/2025, 11:20:38 AM

OpenHealth AI

It's understandable to be concerned about your father's symptoms, especially with the rapid changes you've described. Given the increasing size and worsening appearance of the dark spot, along with the spread of the rash, swelling, and tenderness in his leg, it is crucial to prioritize his health and safety.

Main Points:

1. Symptoms indicate potential urgency. The progression of the rash and the enlargement of the dark spot, combined with swelling and tenderness, raises concerns that require immediate attention.
2. Contact urgent care. While you're advised to allow antibiotics to take effect, the significant changes you observed warrant a reassessment.

Explanation:

Vasculitis and cellulitis can both present with similar symptoms, such as swelling, redness, and discomfort in the affected area. Given that your father has existing health issues, such as DVT and is on medications like warfarin, it's important to proceed with caution. The appearance of new symptoms after starting treatment can indicate that the underlying issue may not be resolving.

Next Steps:

1. Seek urgent medical attention. Given the severe changes in your father's condition, it would be prudent to contact out-of-hours or urgent care services to have him evaluated as soon as possible rather than waiting until Tuesday.
2. Monitor symptoms closely. If you are unable to get immediate care, continue to observe for any new symptoms, such as increased pain, fever, or changes in consciousness, and seek help if these occur.
3. Document changes. Keep a record of the symptoms you see, including times when changes occur, to provide detailed information to healthcare professionals.

It’s important to trust your instincts as a caregiver, and acting swiftly can help ensure your father receives the appropriate care. Don't hesitate to reach out for help.