What Causes Redness On The Lower Legs And Ankles?

Posted on Tue, 13 Dec 2016

Question: My lower legs and ankles are reddening and there appears to be swelling where he shin meets the foot. I have been prescribed Docycycline 50mg Tabs (RW) for post operation eye surgery. Should I be concerned?

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Seems to be due to water retention

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting the query.

From the history it seems that the swelling and redness may be due to water retention that may occur secondary to doxycycline. Some people are sensitive to drugs like doxycycline and that leads to water retention. Legs ,being dependant parts of our body, tend to accumulate the water in the subcutaneous tissues.

Try stopping doxycycilne for 3 days after consulting your doctor or change the antibiotic.

Even after this,if the swelling does not reduce,then you need to get detailed blood investigations done,including complete blood count,kidney function tests,serum electrolytes.

Keep the legs elevated over a pillow.

I hope the answer was useful.

Feel free to get back to me for any doubts that you may have.

Thank you.

Kind regards...

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar