to think DP should see the doc urgently!

[Equallength]

One leg has been swollen for a while. It comes and goes and a few years ago he had cellulitis in the same leg. He’s scratched it today in the garden and it’s bleeding a bit but more worryingly is leaking fluid! I know there’s an association with congestive heart failure, which has worried me a bit as he has a low heart rate to begin with.

Hes 54 and otherwise fit bit recently gets a bit out of breath. WWYD?

Are his legs (or the injured one) swollen or is he overweight it's hard to tell from the photos as his feet don't look swollen which would suggest that's the normal size for his legs?

How did he scrape the leg and when?

I have rheumatoid arthritis and my lower legs are like this, one worse than the other, I have asked arious drs about it since my 40s and I am in my 70s now, they brushed it off as nothing, sitting too close to the fire? keep it out of the sun, until I had to see a specialist nurse about an unrelated suspected embolism, she explained it as poor circulation due to me not walking properly, because of stiff joints in my foot, so that the foot does not roll from heel to toe. This action stimulates the circulation in the lower legs. The skin is fragile and if I get any slight injury there it takes months to heal. I also get weird fluid leakage from even a pinprick from brambles etc. I have to be careful in case of leg ulcers, I wear compression knee socks if my legs get swollen in hot weather, but so far nothing life threatening.

One leg that is swollen is unlikely to be heart failure as you would expect bilateral signs. unilateral swelling more likely to be DVT/compression of venous system further up the limb etc.
The appearance of the leg could be cellulitis. How is he in himself? Any fevers? Can you demarcate the area and call 111 perhaps for a GP callback and get a prescription for antibiotics sent to a pharmacy? If he is well no need to go to A&E however if becomes unwell/area of redness extending despite treatment would indicate need for A&E and admission.

What did 111 say?

Thankyou for everyone’s comments. 111 called to say he was halfway down their callback list.

So I reckon he should finish his dinner and head down to the local a&e because in all likelihood that’s where he will be triaged to anyway.

Both legs are swollen. He’s done a lot of driving this week but all the same. Where the scratch is, is all hard, and still leaking.

could he have lymphodema? Its often missed and that may explain both the cellulitis and the fluid seeping from his leg

On a bramble this afternoon.

I had a more minor leg swelling and managed to get the practice nurse to look. It had gone down again but even though it was mich less Bad than this he said if it happens again "do not pass go and go straight to A&E." He said the thing to worry about is if it's very hard and tender to touch and the skin red which looks like what your DH has. I'm sure 111 will tell you to go.

No he’s not overweight, he’s very solid and stocky. With a fabulous arse.

Why can’t they send themselves?! Honestly, don’t get these man babies.

That’s my concern. But why would he have that?

Not a doctor but it does like like cellulitis in one leg. The slow heart rate, possibly under active thyroid? Could be worth blood tests with GP.
Would definitely get leg seen urgently.

@Equallength stop messing around with 111. Just take him to A&E, it's not worth the risk. Truly.

When you get a callback, they're going to send you to A&E.

100% that's what they'll do.

So you may as well head there now and get a headstart!

And please do call 111 to let them know so they can free up the callback for someone else.

Hope he's ok and doesn't have to wait too long there.

With a fabulous arse

we only have your word for that... you have a camera!

then get that fabulous arse in the car & off to A&E. Now, (after the photo!!)

Sorry to see this OP. Cellulitis can cause sepsis, so best to get it seen to asap, if anything they will wrap the leg for him. My mum suffered with cellulitis and lymphoedema unfortunately, which led to sepsis when her leg kept leaking. Nasty if not caught early, but it sounds like you both have a plan to get DH seen tonight. Good luck.

111 will just send to a&e, just go there.

No. Hardly drinks and v healthy diet.

Walk in centre if there's one nearby.

It could get infected so clean it, seal the cut and elevate it.

This isn't appropriate for A&E, not just yet anyways....@

I would be concerned that its possibly a dvt. Hope he gets seen soon OP

OP, when was he last checked for type 2 diabetes and does he have vascular problems ? I ask because my OH has type 2 diabetes and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) linked to heart problems - atrial fibrillation which, before he was medicated, used to cause dramatic fluctuations in heart rate. He had a leg amputated five years ago (before we met), which, from photos he showed me, pretty much looked like the photos you’ve posted. If the blood flow to the lower leg and foot are restricted by undiagnosed PAD he’s in danger of losing it to gangrene if things get out of hand. You need to get him to A&E and get them to check the pulse in his foot and check for type 2 diabetes, and go from there.

Is his leg hot?
Use the backs of your hands run down the legs and compare (but hopfully you're taking him somewhere now ..)

Crikey! That’s very worrying!

I don’t think it’s DVT (seen several) and I would be surprised if there were significant cardiac issues but I want him to be checked out. But I’m very sure this is cellulitis, and that concerns me greatly. He also thinks he’s invincible but I’d very sensible too and was trying to get in to see the GP but there weren’t any appointments, and then scratched it today. He’s very brave and isn’t complaining at all.

My brother ended up in hospital with sepsis from a microscopic cut that led to cellulitis. Could you take him to A & E?