Seeking Advice on a Leg Infection Concern
Hello all, I'm a 25-year-old woman. Last Sunday, I discovered an unusual issue on my leg. The problem first caught my attention the night before, as it was intensely itchy. It wasn’t until I was in the shower that I really took a good look at it. Unsure of what was happening, I decided to give it some time, only cleaning it with Dacan and applying some fusidic acid ointment. The following day, Monday, I noticed it had visibly worsened. Concerned, I visited my doctor and underwent some blood tests, which indicated a white blood cell count of 8.406 (10^3/ uL) and a CRP level of 18 mg/L. The doctor suggested I might be in the very early stages of erysipelas— I'm not sure of the English term for that condition. I was prescribed antibiotics—specifically Amoxicillin, to be taken at a dosage of 2 grams three times daily, as I am on the heavier side. Now fast forward to Tuesday, it has been about a day since I began the treatment. I have already taken 6 grams of the medication (which is the total for today). This morning, I woke up to find that the infection seemed larger and had spread to a larger area of my skin. I took my most recent dose about an hour ago, and to my surprise, the redness has significantly diminished. I even marked the area with a marker to keep track of any changes. I'm uncertain about the effectiveness of the antibiotics. Thankfully, I’m not experiencing fever or pain, and the itching has subsided quite a bit. However, the affected skin still feels warm and somewhat tight, although not as tight as it did yesterday. I'm worried that the area of redness appears greater than before. What should my next steps be? My doctor mentioned that if there’s no improvement within 48 hours, we might switch to Augmentin. However, I tend to worry excessively about my health. Are the doctors handling this correctly? Is it accurate that this situation is still classified as early stage? I made the error of reading about cellulitis, and now I can't get it out of my mind. I appreciate any advice you can provide!
Answers (1)
7/29/2025, 3:11:11 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned about your leg infection, especially when symptoms seem to change rapidly. From your description, you're undergoing treatment for what appears to be erysipelas, which is a bacterial skin infection. Your quick action in seeking medical help and starting antibiotics is important.
Key Points:
- Current Treatment: You are on Amoxicillin, which should start to show improvement within a few days.
- Symptom Monitoring: You’ve noted some changes, including redness diminishing, which is a good sign, but the area feels tight and has seemed to enlarge.
- Next Steps: It's crucial to closely monitor your symptoms over the next 24-48 hours.
Explanation:
Erysipelas is often characterized by a sharp, raised edge and can cause redness and warmth of the affected area. Your white blood cell count and CRP level indicate there is some inflammation, but no fever or extreme pain suggests that it might not be severe.
Your concern about the infection’s spreading area is valid, but it's a positive sign that the redness has diminished after you began taking the antibiotics. Sometimes, initial swelling can occur as the body responds to the infection, but this can also improve as the medication takes effect.
Prioritized Next Steps:
- Continue Antibiotics: Make sure to complete the full course of Amoxicillin as prescribed, and let your doctor know if there is no improvement.
- Monitor Changes: Keep marking the edges of the redness to track any change. If you see it spreading significantly, that would be important to report.
- Self-Care Measures: Continue to keep the area clean and dry. Avoid scratching the area to prevent further irritation or possible spread of infection.
- Seek Prompt Attention If:
- The redness continues to spread significantly.
- You develop fever or increased pain.
- The area feels increasingly tight or you notice significant changes in skin texture (e.g., blisters or breakdown).
Reassurance:
It's normal to feel anxious about health issues, especially when symptoms evolve. You're doing the right thing by watching your condition closely and communicating with your healthcare provider. If your symptoms do not clearly improve within 24-48 hours, following up with your doctor about possibly changing your medication to Augmentin seems like a sound plan.
Keep focusing on self-care while closely monitoring your symptoms, and don't hesitate to reach out for further advice or clarification. You're not alone in this, and many people face similar situations!
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