Cellulitis from insect bites

[Devonishome1]

I’ve been bitten by something on my neck and foot. They both swelled up so yesterday I went to the walk in centre. The nurse said cellulitis and gave me some antibiotics. So far I’ve only taken 2 in the course, 1 every 12 hours. The swelling in my neck had definitely gone down but in my foot overnight the swelling has spread from just pass the toes now up to my ankle. Do I need to be seen again or do you think that it should start to go down once more antibiotics are in my system?

I would call 111 and ask their advice op. Tbh I don’t like the sound of the spreading you’ve described but maybe it will just take some time until the antibiotics kick in.

I would deffo call 111. The last time this happened to me I remember the doc saying that once the antibiotics started, the swelling shouldn't spread anymore than a few centimetres.

Got a bite on my ankle Wed . By fri the swelling was from my toes to above my knee with insane itching. I'm allergic to antihistamines so just got some steroid cream from the chemist.
Didn't realise it might need antibs so watching with interest.

I’d go and get seen again as cellulitis can be serious especially if it’s tracking,

get it checked. I had cellulitis from a house spider bite and I didn't get it checked as had no idea about these things and it was horrendous in the end. First lot of antibiotics didn't touch it and I ended up needing IV antibiotics

Get seen again, the swelling shouldn't spread once you have antibiotics.

Are you taking anti-histamines?

Cellulitis from bites is rare, big reactions are common but lots of health professionals will give antibiotics in the face of a big reaction as the two are impossible to tell apart and they don't want to miss a cellulitis.

Get some anti-histamines into you now - if you tend to have bad reactions to bites a lot, and give both places have swelled up it's unlikely you have got infections in both sites - that would be very unlikely, you probably just react incredibly badly to bites.

Why have you only taken two antibiotics in the course since yesterday? Usually they prescribe 4 x daily for cellulitis? If it is tracking you are at risk of sepsis.

It’s only 1 antibiotic every 12 hours.

You definitely need to go back OP. Can draw around the swelling with a felt tip and then you can see how the swelling is spreading. If it is heading up your leg then you will need some different antibiotics.

I was recommended hydrocortisone on the bite area. I didn’t have cellulitis but v bad swelling. It’s taken 5 days to go with putting foot up, ice packs, lots anti histamine tablets.

Is it swelling (with no colouring) or redness OP??

If is it redness then 111 NOW.

I've had this, if it is redness it should NOT be spreading like that. When I had it (big toe to ankle) the nurse drew round it in pen and told me, in no uncertain terms, that if the redness went past the pen line to get myself to A&E ASAP.

I was on a LOT stronger antibiotics than that and felt completely shit for over 2 weeks and had to promise to have bed rest with leg up in the air on cushions or the nurse would have made me go to the hospital.

Yes I think I’ll give 111 a call. Thanks everyone