I believe I have mild cellulitis that seems to be spreading. Should I worry?
I've had a ringworm on my arm for 2wks. It got so bad that my arm started to swell a little. So, Thursday, I went to the ER for antibiotics. The ER dr. said I didn't need any antibiotics, only a different topical cream for the ringworm, but I pointed out the swelling and he just said that it was dermatitis and that it will get better once the ringworm is treated properly. It's Sunday 2am. I am tired and sleepy but worried about the appearance of the ringworm area. The ringworm is drying up, however, I still have a swollen red, itchy and tender to the touch area beneath it that seems to be spreading. I feel that it's not dermatitis, but possibly cellulitis. I can't see a dermatologist till Monday. Is this serious enough to take back to the ER or maybe and Urgent care clinic since the ER dr. didn't get it right the firs time, or will it be okay to wait until Monday?
Answers:
Try Alcohol bandages till Monday.. it works good for cellulitis
Cellulitus happens when the fluids in part of your body do not get moved out and directed to your lymph nodes, which filter out the germs and other stuff. If this does not happen, the germs multiply and cause real problems (fever being one) so I think cellulitus in the arm would be rare.
I have had cellulitus in my lower leg in January, but I cannot give you an answer; just that it can get nasty quick. So if you go downhill fast, definitely go to the ER. If the area or thought still bothers you when you wake up this Sunday, going to an urgent care place sounds like a good idea. Too bad you could not have touched base with your primary care physician Thursday or Friday.
Call up webmd and read up on cellulitis. That may give you more insight.
{I have no medical knowledge to form any opinions.}
I have had cellulitus in my lower leg in January, but I cannot give you an answer; just that it can get nasty quick. So if you go downhill fast, definitely go to the ER. If the area or thought still bothers you when you wake up this Sunday, going to an urgent care place sounds like a good idea. Too bad you could not have touched base with your primary care physician Thursday or Friday.
Call up webmd and read up on cellulitis. That may give you more insight.
{I have no medical knowledge to form any opinions.}
It unlikely to get cellulitis from ringworm, unless you have been scratching at it a lot. Get out a pen or sharpie and mark where the redness meets normal skin. check it is about 8 hours. If the redness expands past the mark you have made, you may have cellulitis. But unless you have bad pain, or fever, or nausea and vomiting, you can probably wait till Monday to see your doctor. Besy of luck
As you said, you've had ringworm for 2 weeks. It started to swell on Thursday. On Thursday a call to your doctor's office rather than a visit to the Emergency Department would have been the best move. You don't necessarily need to be seen by a Dermatologist at this point, your regular doctor would be fine for proper treatment of the area, but a trip to the Emergency Department is not warranted.
If you feel you cannot wait until tomorrow, stop in an Urgent Care center- their main purpose is for visits when your doctor is not available, people who do not have a primary care doctor and travelers. As others have suggested, you can mark the area of redness to track its expansion for the physician. Also try keeping your arm elevated to see if it aids in drainage of the swelling.
Feel better soon!
If you feel you cannot wait until tomorrow, stop in an Urgent Care center- their main purpose is for visits when your doctor is not available, people who do not have a primary care doctor and travelers. As others have suggested, you can mark the area of redness to track its expansion for the physician. Also try keeping your arm elevated to see if it aids in drainage of the swelling.
Feel better soon!
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