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What Causes Pain, Swelling And Redness In The Leg?
Question: My leg is hard swollen and red it very painful to touch and move I can't even stand for my bed sheet to touch it
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You should go in to the ER or urgent care now. Here are the possibilities of what might be going on:
1. Cellulitis: If the area has a specific area of redness and is hot and painful, there may be a bacterial infection in the tissues. Depending on the extent of it (and it sounds like it is a lot), you will likely need an antibiotic. In addition, if it is the lower leg, soak it in hot water a few times a day to help your body clear the infection. A significant or spreading cellulitis needs to be seen urgently as the infection can go into the blood stream.
2. Deep Vein Thrombosis: A clot can form in a deep vein, and then the part of the leg below where the clot is will be swollen and tender. This is also an urgent problem which needs prompt evaluation because of the risk of the clot breaking off and going into places that can cause more problems, such as the lungs. Usually DVTs are in the lower leg, but not always.
Other possibilities: Shingles (a reactivation of the chicken pox herpes zoster virus) can cause a great deal of tenderness and pain. I will be red, but usually not swollen.
So - You should go in to be seen now. Please don't wait.
I would be glad to answer any further questions you might have after you have gone in to be seen.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
You should go in to the ER or urgent care now. Here are the possibilities of what might be going on:
1. Cellulitis: If the area has a specific area of redness and is hot and painful, there may be a bacterial infection in the tissues. Depending on the extent of it (and it sounds like it is a lot), you will likely need an antibiotic. In addition, if it is the lower leg, soak it in hot water a few times a day to help your body clear the infection. A significant or spreading cellulitis needs to be seen urgently as the infection can go into the blood stream.
2. Deep Vein Thrombosis: A clot can form in a deep vein, and then the part of the leg below where the clot is will be swollen and tender. This is also an urgent problem which needs prompt evaluation because of the risk of the clot breaking off and going into places that can cause more problems, such as the lungs. Usually DVTs are in the lower leg, but not always.
Other possibilities: Shingles (a reactivation of the chicken pox herpes zoster virus) can cause a great deal of tenderness and pain. I will be red, but usually not swollen.
So - You should go in to be seen now. Please don't wait.
I would be glad to answer any further questions you might have after you have gone in to be seen.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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