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Suggest Treatment For Cellulitis In Left Ankle And Venous Insufficiency
Question: I have been on Bactrim for cellulitis in my left ankle for a few weeks. I am 50 year old female with venous insufficiency so I normally wear compression stockings. I am concerned because I normally have a low-ish temp in the 97.6- 98 range, but every day since the cellulitis started, in the afternoon I am now getting a 99.4-99.7 temp. My cellulitis area is much lighter in color, but is still a light pink compared to the skin around it. Do I need to be on antibiotics until the skin is completely back to white, or is it okay if I run out of antibiotic before when the cellulitis area is still light pink? I am a cautious person and don't want to have the bacteria in the cellulitis recolonize and turn into something else if I am still having an elevated temp and the cellulitis area is still light pink. Do I need to have my prescription renewed, or is it safe to stop with an elevated temp and light pink skin?
Brief answer....explained below
Detailed answer...
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understand your concern.
If there is no local pain inspite of pressing it and if local area is not hot to touch,then it means infection is not present and antibiotic can be stopped. Colour of local skin takes time to become white from pink and this process continues for sometime after the infection is gone.
A pink colour doesn't essentially means an infection.
You can alternatively get blood counts done to see the presence of infection,in consultation with your doctor.
A slight increase in temperature in afternoon doesn't mean that bacterial infection is persisting. Blood counts would tell whether infection is persisting or not.
In nutshell I would recommend stoppage of antibiotic,however do consult your doctor for the local inspection of wound and his final word on this issue.
I hope it helps however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks
Detailed answer...
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
I have read your query and understand your concern.
If there is no local pain inspite of pressing it and if local area is not hot to touch,then it means infection is not present and antibiotic can be stopped. Colour of local skin takes time to become white from pink and this process continues for sometime after the infection is gone.
A pink colour doesn't essentially means an infection.
You can alternatively get blood counts done to see the presence of infection,in consultation with your doctor.
A slight increase in temperature in afternoon doesn't mean that bacterial infection is persisting. Blood counts would tell whether infection is persisting or not.
In nutshell I would recommend stoppage of antibiotic,however do consult your doctor for the local inspection of wound and his final word on this issue.
I hope it helps however you are most welcome to revert to me for any further query.
Best of luck
Thanks
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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