Cellulitis recovery - help!

[TheMousePipes]

Hello,
I’m hoping the hive mind wisdom might give me an idea what to expect please?
DH was bitten on the knee by a horsefly whilst on holiday in France 2 weeks ago. It didn’t cause any unnecessary grief for the first couple of days but then started to swell. A couple of days later his leg was hugely swollen, hot to touch and extremely sore. A trip to the pharmacist confirmed that it was cellulitis and off to the doctors he went. The first course of antibiotics lasted 7 days, we’re now on the second one.
You can see that it’s getting better, the colour has faded and it’s no where near as swollen. But the oedema is still really bad and he’s still very sore.
Can anyone advise how long the oedema is likely to last? Don’t really want to hassle the GP if this is a totally normal part of healing.
Thanks in advance, wise ones.

My H had cellulitis (of unknown origin) a few weeks ago. Went into hospital for 6 days for IV antibiotics, followed by oral ABs.

I think bcse you’ve been seen overseas, you should make an appointment with your GP. I used to be a registered HCP in acute care so I have a “threshold” for these things. Cellulitis is a weird one though so it’s worth seeing them, in case it gets worse.

I had a few repeated attacks of it about 6 months ago. (Never had it before.).

The Hospt prescribed twice the dose of the GP. I’d also get it looked at, because better to move straight to another course if your doc doesn’t think he’s responding fast enough, than have in infection regain its punch between courses which might be what happened to me.

I was really ill with this back in May and spent 4 weeks in hospital. My leg is still healing and very swollen with oedema. My GP thinks it won't ever go back down but has said to wait a few more months for the skin to heal fully and then go back to see him. I heavily moisture it a few times a day too as it is very dry. Not been a fun experience.

I think I took 4 lots of antibiotics to get mine sorted out (spider bite in the UK). The final lot were awful and caused side effects such as an utterly disgusting taste in my mouth (we referred to them as my “dead badger” pills). I’m sure it was about 3-4 weeks altogether.

Ok, so everyone is saying multiple courses of antibiotics. Did you have to change antibiotic? DH has had 7 days 4x500mg flucloxacin and then a repeat prescription the same which we are now on day 4 of. The swelling has gone down so long as he stays off his feet (as soon as he gets up it fills with fluid again), the colour has returned to normal. The skin still feels tight and a little hot under the patella (although nowhere near as bad as it did) on the site of the bite.
Did you find that the oedema was the longest lasting effect?
I have taken on board the ‘back to the GP’ advice, I’m just trying to gauge whether to go tomorrow or see how the next couple of days go and book Wednesday if necessary.
Continued thanks for wisdom recieved.

not emergency appt at this stage as long as it’s improving.

Oh really?

I’ve been left with Odema in my leg too. It does go down overnight but have to wear support tights now (hot).

I didn’t realise it was a common side effect to get left with this. I’m sorry you have it and hope it does go down.

OP, I’d call the GP tomorrow, send a photo and ask for a nurse assessment - let them decide if they need to see you tomorrow or if it can wait a day or two - it might depend on where he is on the course.