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What Causes Itchy Red Spots On The Leg?
Question: Hi what infection is this please? I got a cut and everything around it was very infoamed and the pores raised red and itchy. I put mexican hat plant on it and the itching stopped the skin flattened and and it got darker- it looks dark blood red in real light.
What treatment do I need please? Is there something very wrong- is it necrotic? It hurts and I'm worried.
What treatment do I need please? Is there something very wrong- is it necrotic? It hurts and I'm worried.
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is hard to tell if this is an allergic reaction, a soft tissue bacterial infection (cellulitis) or both.
Cellulitis is usually diffusely, solidly red, hot, and tender, and the border of it keeps expanding. It is treated with an antibiotic that covers gram positive bacteria such as dicloxicillin or cephalexin (Keflex) and heat. Heat is helpful because it helps draw blood with white blood cells to the area to clean up the infection. It also raises the temperature of the tissues which makes it harder for the bacteria to multiply.
An allergic reaction usually isn't painful but is itchy and can have raised wheals. Treatment is an antihistamine, usually in a higher dose than is standard for nasal allergies, and sometimes an oral steroid such as Prednisone if the antihistamine is not adequate.
Given the size of this reaction or infection, I strongly recommend you go in promptly to be seen in person. If it is cellulitis, it can become a serious infection if the bacteria get into your blood stream.
I hope this information helps.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
It is hard to tell if this is an allergic reaction, a soft tissue bacterial infection (cellulitis) or both.
Cellulitis is usually diffusely, solidly red, hot, and tender, and the border of it keeps expanding. It is treated with an antibiotic that covers gram positive bacteria such as dicloxicillin or cephalexin (Keflex) and heat. Heat is helpful because it helps draw blood with white blood cells to the area to clean up the infection. It also raises the temperature of the tissues which makes it harder for the bacteria to multiply.
An allergic reaction usually isn't painful but is itchy and can have raised wheals. Treatment is an antihistamine, usually in a higher dose than is standard for nasal allergies, and sometimes an oral steroid such as Prednisone if the antihistamine is not adequate.
Given the size of this reaction or infection, I strongly recommend you go in promptly to be seen in person. If it is cellulitis, it can become a serious infection if the bacteria get into your blood stream.
I hope this information helps.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you, that was very informatove.
Tbh I was remembering it still painful 24hrs ago. Actually just agter I write I realised it doesn't hurt anymore. In the last 8 hoursthe dark redness has pretty much gone, it is mich paler. It diesnt itch any more., and then some dead skin cells were flaking off it.
I thought my mexican hat plant must be working and put some more on it, and it went a little redder again, but turns white when pressed.
I'm mainly asking because it's nothing like my blistering dermatitis, so fogured it mist be infection.
Tbh I was remembering it still painful 24hrs ago. Actually just agter I write I realised it doesn't hurt anymore. In the last 8 hoursthe dark redness has pretty much gone, it is mich paler. It diesnt itch any more., and then some dead skin cells were flaking off it.
I thought my mexican hat plant must be working and put some more on it, and it went a little redder again, but turns white when pressed.
I'm mainly asking because it's nothing like my blistering dermatitis, so fogured it mist be infection.
Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
If it is improving, less hot, not spreading, not painful, then you can wait.
I am not familiar with Mexican Hat Plant so I am not sure if it will be helpful or not.
When something turns white when pressed, it usually means that blood vessels are dilated and then when you press on them, it cuts off the blood and so the area blanches.
Since the Mexican Hat Plant seems to have a rather unpredictable effect on the wound, it might be better to just put zinc oxide ointment on it, which will promote healing.
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
If it is improving, less hot, not spreading, not painful, then you can wait.
I am not familiar with Mexican Hat Plant so I am not sure if it will be helpful or not.
When something turns white when pressed, it usually means that blood vessels are dilated and then when you press on them, it cuts off the blood and so the area blanches.
Since the Mexican Hat Plant seems to have a rather unpredictable effect on the wound, it might be better to just put zinc oxide ointment on it, which will promote healing.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi- Last night the wound was cold. i took your advice and put hot water bottle on it last night. I could feel my body react and like lots of particles were heading in the direction of the site of infection. It felt better.
Have never heard of zinc oxode ointment- can I make some out of base oil and zinc tablets? The zinc tablets are zinc and copper bisglycinate.
My chemistry is basic amd I dont know.
The earliest I can see a doc is Thursday.
At the moment my body is struggling to foght of a serious chlamydia infection as well that I had antibiotics for however I feel it's coming back :(
The grainyness of the appearance seems to be less today - like ypu could see the individual cellulite blobs and now its a lot less. It's just anove body temp. The photo looks really red but it looks more pink to me.
Have never heard of zinc oxode ointment- can I make some out of base oil and zinc tablets? The zinc tablets are zinc and copper bisglycinate.
My chemistry is basic amd I dont know.
The earliest I can see a doc is Thursday.
At the moment my body is struggling to foght of a serious chlamydia infection as well that I had antibiotics for however I feel it's coming back :(
The grainyness of the appearance seems to be less today - like ypu could see the individual cellulite blobs and now its a lot less. It's just anove body temp. The photo looks really red but it looks more pink to me.
Brief Answer:
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
Hi I looked at the picture and yes, it does look a bit better.
I looked up Mexican Hat Plant and see that it contains a toxic steroid. So what you are seeing may be a reaction to that.
Regarding the zinc oxide ointment, at this point I would not advise making your own preparation as we don't want further aggravation of the skin if your skin doesn't like some component of the Zinc tablets. In the US, zinc oxide ointment is sold in drug stores without prescription (I think you may call that the Chemist's?) and other general stores. It is commonly used here for baby bottom's to prevent and heal diaper rash, and to promote wound healing on cuts and scrapes. It is a thick white ointment and is very well tolerated by the skin.
Do continue to use heat on the area (not so hot that you burn your skin) to decrease any infection that may be present.
Continue to monitor the redness. If it does get worse, then don't wait - go in to the A and E.
Thoughts on this
Detailed Answer:
Hi I looked at the picture and yes, it does look a bit better.
I looked up Mexican Hat Plant and see that it contains a toxic steroid. So what you are seeing may be a reaction to that.
Regarding the zinc oxide ointment, at this point I would not advise making your own preparation as we don't want further aggravation of the skin if your skin doesn't like some component of the Zinc tablets. In the US, zinc oxide ointment is sold in drug stores without prescription (I think you may call that the Chemist's?) and other general stores. It is commonly used here for baby bottom's to prevent and heal diaper rash, and to promote wound healing on cuts and scrapes. It is a thick white ointment and is very well tolerated by the skin.
Do continue to use heat on the area (not so hot that you burn your skin) to decrease any infection that may be present.
Continue to monitor the redness. If it does get worse, then don't wait - go in to the A and E.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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