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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask if you have any experience with cellulitis? Help needed

38 replies

FooFighter99 · 09/06/2019 17:54

Ok so I know this is an annoying post and I apologise in advance but:

I got bitten on my ankles and elbow by mosquitoes last weekend (Saturday) and by Sunday night/Monday morning the bites were starting to become red, swollen and unbearably itchy! They got steadily worse and on Wednesday I took myself to the GP who diagnosed cellulitis and prescribed a 5 day course of antibiotics.

I have been taking the antibiotics, along with the strong antihistamines that make you drowsy, as well as paracetamol and ibuprofen and using either an antihistamine cream or coconut oil to help relieve the itch.

They seemed to be getting better but today (so over a week since the bites and 4 days on antibiotics) they are horrific and the redness, swelling and itchiness is slowly spreading up my leg. This is made more complicated due to the fact that I also have NLD (a chronic skin condition) on the same leg (FML!). The bite on my elbow has also decided to swell up and I just don’t know what to do!!??

Will it get better on its own or will I have to go back to the GP? “Dr Google” says a trip to A&E May be needed if there is redness, heat and swelling - which there is... but I just don’t know?

Has anybody had any experience of cellulitis that got worse before it got better?

Thanks for reading if you got this far

OP posts:

Llareggub · 09/06/2019 17:57

I had it after my a-section. Never felt so awful. Personally I would ring the out of hours GP and get advice. I wouldn't wait. I ended up on a antibiotic drip.

Polyjuice · 09/06/2019 17:58

I am not normally one for this, but: Go to A&E. Sounds like you need IV antibiotics in a stronger dose than you are receiving.

JustBeingJobless · 09/06/2019 17:59

If I were you I’d ring 111 for some advice. The only experience I have of cellulitis was in my dad, 2 years ago, and it really didn’t get better on its own. He ended up in intensive care as his organs started to fail. Now, he was 70 and has underlying health conditions such as COPD, so I appreciate his case was pretty dramatic, but it can make you very ill. Don’t take any chances if it looks like it’s getting worse!

EKGEMS · 09/06/2019 18:01

This is an emergency get to the closest A&E you need IV antibiotics. (RN 21+ years)

kazza446 · 09/06/2019 18:02

I think you may need a call to 111, if you start with a temperature, confusion, clamminess or feeling generally poorly get straight down to casualty as they’re signs of sepsis

Shakirasma · 09/06/2019 18:03

So 4 days of meds and its now getting worse? Dont ignore it, don't wait, go to A and E. Cellulitis is something that needs taking very seriously and your current antibiotics are not on top of the situation.

Original poster

FooFighter99 · 09/06/2019 18:04

Seriously EKGEMS? I hate the thought if wasting their time at A&E (I work at the hospital in an admin role so I know the pressures they face)

OP posts:

thinkingcapon · 09/06/2019 18:04

Nurse here. Go to a&e now

user1471441955 · 09/06/2019 18:04

A and E- my son needed five days IV antibiotics

nokidshere · 09/06/2019 18:04

I have recurrent cellulitis.

You need to get seen ASAP, this is an illness which can be life threatening very quickly.

Original poster

FooFighter99 · 09/06/2019 18:04

I’ve taken my temp and it was Bob on 36.5

OP posts:

Original poster

FooFighter99 · 09/06/2019 18:05

Oh balls

OP posts:

Lightsabre · 09/06/2019 18:07

Sepsis can develop quickly with cellulitis so hope you are now in a and e!

Merryoldgoat · 09/06/2019 18:07

I think you need A&E - I had some infected fingers which needed antibiotics.

It was a Friday and doctor was very clear it was A&E if the infection started spreading down the finger, getting hot and tender.

Sepsis risk is very real.

marcopront · 09/06/2019 18:07

I've had it twice and it doesn't get worse before it gets better.
Go to A and E, you probably need stronger antibiotics.

Original poster

FooFighter99 · 09/06/2019 18:09

Ok, I’ll go and get dressed and brush my teeth (feel minging cos I haven’t washed my hair today) and I drive up to A&E

Thanks everyone xx

OP posts:

DobbyTheHouseElk · 09/06/2019 18:12

It’s scary. The a&e will take it seriously. I had to go in with cellulitis of the breast, was embarrassing and I have no idea how I got it.

TrickyD · 09/06/2019 18:17

DS2 had cellulitis after scratching his arm on a tree. GP was unhelpful despite spreading redness and faintness. I took him to AandE where he was admitted, put on a drip and kept in for four days.
Good to read you are heading there too. Let us know how you get on and best wishes.

AnnieAnt · 09/06/2019 18:22

Hope you're heading to A&E but adding my voice in case you're not. My dad had this 18 months ago after a course of antibiotics didn't get rid of it. He too ended up in hospital on a drip and it took a while for it to go - apparently he was utterly incoherent by the time he got there, so don't let it get to that stage. He was also incapable of driving by then and my mum had a real problem getting him in the car.

Pleased to say it went eventually but he was in for a good few days - so, the sooner the better.

Piglet89 · 09/06/2019 18:23

Husband had it in his foot (GP originally thought septic arthritis) He was given intravenous antibiotics in hospital in the end. Asked the registrar there whether we could still go on our cycling holiday, for which we were due to leave the next day and he said “yes, the oral Antibiotics I am prescribing for you should sort it it two or three days”.

No way. My poor DH’s foot swelled like a bap on the plane, he didn’t get an ounce of cycling in and was on crutches for the whole week long holiday. He still needed disabled assistance to get on and off the plane back home. Absolutely awful thing!

Imustbemad00 · 09/06/2019 18:26

I had it in my foot. It can be potentially life threatening. They drew on me with a black marker and said if the redness spreads outside of that come straight back. So the fact it’s spreading up your leg is worrying. Go and get checked.

pudcat · 09/06/2019 18:40

Hope you have gone to A and E. I had it on my face. I had 4 different antibiotics and very strong pain killers

Pipandmum · 09/06/2019 18:43

My husband had it. He was allergic to most antibiotics so it was never cured. He’d have flare ups and end up in hospital for days. It’s very serious you are not wasting anyone’s time.

itssquidstella · 09/06/2019 18:47

I've had it multiple times as a reaction to insect bites. The first time, I didn't realise how serious it could be, and ended up in hospital on IV antibiotics. If you've been taking ABs and it's getting worse, then you definitely need A&E!

Original poster

FooFighter99 · 09/06/2019 18:52

Thanks everyone, I’m just sat in the onsite GP department after being triaged in A&E. The nurses didn’t seem overly concerned and think I might just need stronger antibiotics, but we’ll see what the GP says

Again, thanks for everyone’s advice, hopefully I’ll get sorted and it won’t require IVs or an overnight stay

OP posts:

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