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Suggest Treatment For Swollen Welt On The Lower Legs
Question: Two days ago I woke up to a find a red swollen welt on my lower right leg that I think is a spider bite. I swam yesterday morning and noticed later in the afternoon the area was the size of a silver dollar, swollen and hot to the touch. Today it is showing an even angrier red spot with radiating lines from the center. It is still hot to the touch. What should I do?
Brief Answer:
Possible small area of cellulitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Without seeing it, it is hard to know exactly what is going on, but it sounds from your description like there is a soft tissue infection (cellulitis). If it is small and on an extremity, and early in the course of the infection, sometimes heat can help treat it while your body's immune system takes care of the infection. If it is quite angry looking, you may need an antibiotic, so do go in to have it checked. Even with an antibiotic though, use hot compresses or hot water on it several times a day. It takes awhile for antibiotics to penetrate soft tissue infections of the skin, but the heat can help speed up resolution.
I hope this helps and that you are soon better.
Possible small area of cellulitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Without seeing it, it is hard to know exactly what is going on, but it sounds from your description like there is a soft tissue infection (cellulitis). If it is small and on an extremity, and early in the course of the infection, sometimes heat can help treat it while your body's immune system takes care of the infection. If it is quite angry looking, you may need an antibiotic, so do go in to have it checked. Even with an antibiotic though, use hot compresses or hot water on it several times a day. It takes awhile for antibiotics to penetrate soft tissue infections of the skin, but the heat can help speed up resolution.
I hope this helps and that you are soon better.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks, it is Saturday and only the ER is available. So, if I can get the swelling down maybe it will resolve on its own? I will put a hot compress on now.
Brief Answer:
Making a plan:
Detailed Answer:
Hello - I am sorry I could not get back to you sooner. Yes, put heat on it as often as possible now. The swelling will not go down quickly, but you should note that it is not getting bigger. If it is looking worse, or if you feel ill at all (light headed, fever) then do go to the ER and don't wait further.
You may want to take a pen and make some small marks at the border of the redness and swelling for reference, or measure it. Some of the ink may come off with the hot compresses, but you will still be able to see where it was usually.
The heat will temporarily make more of the skin red, but it won't have the same swollen angry look.
Again, don't wait if it (or you) get worse.
Making a plan:
Detailed Answer:
Hello - I am sorry I could not get back to you sooner. Yes, put heat on it as often as possible now. The swelling will not go down quickly, but you should note that it is not getting bigger. If it is looking worse, or if you feel ill at all (light headed, fever) then do go to the ER and don't wait further.
You may want to take a pen and make some small marks at the border of the redness and swelling for reference, or measure it. Some of the ink may come off with the hot compresses, but you will still be able to see where it was usually.
The heat will temporarily make more of the skin red, but it won't have the same swollen angry look.
Again, don't wait if it (or you) get worse.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
It is looking less swollen but there are spider like red lines coming out of it. I was on it for a couple hours and it feels less tight. I wonder if I can still send you a photo.
Brief Answer:
Yes, send photos.
Detailed Answer:
Yes, please go ahead and upload photos. The better the image quality, the more helpful it will be.
Elevating the leg and staying off of it is best if you can do that, but heat is most important.
Yes, send photos.
Detailed Answer:
Yes, please go ahead and upload photos. The better the image quality, the more helpful it will be.
Elevating the leg and staying off of it is best if you can do that, but heat is most important.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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