Suggest Treatment For Pus Filled Blisters On The Leg

Posted on Wed, 16 Aug 2017

Question: I have what it started as a tiny blister over my ankle and all my leg and foot is swollen looks like it has blood and pus

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please upload an image

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone carefully through your query. It seems that you have a boil (bacterial infection). I would insist you to upload an image. It would help me to confirm. You can upload the attachments using the facility on the upper right of this page. Alternatively you can email the attachments to YYYY@YYYY with the query id 341595 and my name mentioned in the subject.

Treatment with topical antibiotics like mupirocin ointment should suffice. Depending on the severity oral antibiotics might be needed. I would be able to confirm after checking the image you upload.

I would await your response. Let me know if I could help further.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (17 minutes later)

I already had uploaded an image. I have sent an image again by uploading here and also by the email provided.

I used to have similar "blisters" consistently and repeatedly on my right hand close to my wrist about a year ago. I had taken antibiotic, but this seems very sever in terms of size severity of infection.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (34 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Lyme's disease needs to be ruled out. Apply topical antibiotics as of now.

Detailed Answer:
I am sorry that the notification for the image upload came soon after I had already submitted my response. I could not respond back unless you posted a follow up query (which you did).

I have checked the attached image. Although it seems to be a boil as I had suspected, the surrounding redness concerns me. I need to ask you whether you have fever. I am trying to rule out tick bite and lyme's disease. If that is the case I would insist on a thorough evaluation and administration of suitable antibiotics based on the findings.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (11 minutes later)

Thank you Doc. I really do not have any fever. I just have a burning effect on it, especially when I stand for the first few minutes; then the pain gets better. My main concern is that it feel like there is a lot of fluid (blood and pus) and am not able to take it out. I tried puncturing the blister, few drops of blood and pus came out; but the swelling is still there. As I mentioned, I used to have repeated same symptoms, mostly on my right wrist are (popping up) few were ok, others were getting swollen and had blood and pus on them. My GP gave me antibiotic, that did not do anything. I went to a dermatologist, got another type of anti biotic, seems to have worked for few months; until it came back now. Not sure if this has anything to do with it, but my first symptom (blister) came when I visited Malaysia, Brunei, and Singapore last year.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The pus needs to come out. Incision and drainage might be needed

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the update. It is good to know that you do not have fever. The pus needs to come out. Possibly that is the reason for the redness. The inflammation needs to subside and I would insist you to take some NSAIDs like Aleve (naproxen) twice daily after food for a couple of days. Apply an antibiotic ointment. If that does not suffice you might need to get the pus drained. Your PCP or a surgeon would be able to help (not a dermatologist). Your PCP will be able to evaluate further whether there are any other possibilities to consider.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (7 minutes later)

Just sent you an image of what happens when I squeeze on the blister area, blood and pus comes out. However, not as I expected in greater quantity - just a couple drops. Both sides ankles are swollen even the ankles are not visible. What would be a generic ointment that can help?

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Do not squeeze. It may make the infection spread.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the update. Please do not squeeze it. It may make the situation worse and may make the infection spread. The following antibiotic ointments are available OTC and you can use any one
Bacitracin
Bacitracin and Polymyxin B
Bacitracin, Polymyxin B and Neomycin

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar