Has anyone ever had cellulitis?

I went to the doctor today because of a painful, hot, hard, and swollen lump in my leg. I was told that it's cellulitis. I do realize that it can get very bad, but I keep Googling and reading all these awful things.

Has anyone ever had it before? How long did the pain take to go away once you started the antibiotics? I am in so much freaking pain unless I'm sitting in bed with no pressure on the leg.

Re: Has anyone ever had cellulitis?

I spilled boiling water on my foot and got 2nd degree burns; which then developed cellulitis. The cellulitis was the worst pain I EVER felt, my entire foot and ankle was gigantic - absolutely horrible looking. The pain from the cellulitis was worse than the burn itself; I was told to keep my foot elevated, but anytime I took it down (to stand up, get out of bed) i would cry in agony. I had crutches, but they were no help except to keep me off the foot.
I was given a round of antibiotics (Keflex for 10 or 14 days, i dont exactly remember), I could not take anything for pain because I was 17 weeks pg at the time. It finally started to clear up after about 2 weeks; in that time I was out of work for over a week due to pain and swelling. I was fully healed (burn and all) in about a month. I am so sorry you have to go through it, its excruitiating!!! Feel better soon

Re: Has anyone ever had cellulitis?

my son had it in his hand/finger. it cleared up by about the 3rd day of antibiotics.

Re: Has anyone ever had cellulitis?

i had it in my earlobe from an infection from piercing.. so gross and painful- thought I was going to DIE!!! a hair on my head couldn't touch it!

Re: Has anyone ever had cellulitis?

I had cellulitis in the outer area of my ear. It was painful and felt really hot and swollen. The pain started to subside after a full day on antibiotics. I was prescribed a 10 day dose. Not to freak you out, but my doctor did tell me that if the antibiotics did not get better within a few days, then I would need to be hospitalized to get stronger antibiotics. I hope your antibiotics kick in soon.

Has anyone ever had cellulitis?

Yes, i had it from a bug bite (mosquito?). I woke up at maybe 7am one morning. noticed the bite on near my wrist and felt that my skin on my forearm was itchy. by lunchtime, my forearm was red, hot, slightly swollen. you could literally see the infection under my skin travelling up my arm. The next day, I went to ER, and it had spread above my elbow by that time. I was given a tetanus shot, and Rx'd antibiotic. It cleared within a week.
Mark the outline of the rash with a pen, and make sure it doesnt spread beyond those borders. if it does, go back to your dr asap. the rash should get noticeably smaller within that pen outline as you continue to take the rx.

ETA: I was rx'd Keflex too.

Message edited 9/6/2012 9:33:57 PM.

Re: Has anyone ever had cellulitis?

i had it a week after having dd. it was from the waist down. i had the medication through iv but it had helped. it was very painful though hope you the medicine works quickly for you