Swelling in Husband's Ankle During Antibiotic Treatment for Skin Infection
My husband, who is 45 years old, maintains a healthy weight and does not smoke. Recently, he developed two infected areas on his left leg. Initially, he was prescribed Bactrim to address cellulitis. However, as his condition worsened, we returned to urgent care. The physician there properly cleaned the wounds and prescribed a different antibiotic since they had been exposed to river water. Thankfully, the appearance of the wounds has improved since yesterday. We followed the doctor's advice by cleaning and rewrapping the affected leg. This morning, my husband was able to move around the house more comfortably due to reduced pain. However, when he laid down, I noticed significant swelling in his left ankle. He insists that the wrap is not too tight, and there is no coldness or discoloration. He claims it is not painful and that he has normal sensation. Could this swelling be a result of the infection progressing, or might it be due to increased activity today?
Answers (1)
7/30/2025, 10:10:38 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's wonderful to hear that your husband’s wounds are improving and that his pain has lessened, but I understand your concern regarding the swelling in his ankle. Swelling in the ankle can occur for various reasons, especially during infection and recovery.
Main Points
- Swelling could be due to fluid retention related to increased activity or inflammation from the infection.
- Monitor for any changes or worsening symptoms.
Explanation
After an infection, especially one causing cellulitis, swelling can increase due to inflammation or fluid accumulation. It can also happen if he’s been more active than usual, as physical movement encourages blood flow but can occasionally lead to temporary swelling. The fact that he feels no pain, has normal sensation, and there's no discoloration is reassuring and suggests that it might not be a serious concern right now.
Next Steps
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Elevate the Leg: Encourage your husband to elevate his leg while resting. This can help reduce swelling by allowing excess fluid to drain away from the ankle.
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Cold Compress: Apply a cold compress to the swollen area for 15-20 minutes several times a day. This can help alleviate swelling and discomfort.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close eye on any changes. If the swelling does not improve after a day or two, or if he develops new symptoms (like increased pain, redness, warmth, or fever), it's essential to seek further medical advice.
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Continue Wound Care: Stay consistent with the cleaning and wrapping of the wounds as advised by the physician. Proper care will aid in the recovery process.
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Limit Activity: If he engaged in more activity today, consider reducing that in the coming days until his swelling decreases.
Please let me know if there are any changes or additional concerns you'd like to discuss!
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