Cellulitus Color changes...Scaring?!
Question: 2 days ago i had an infection in my lower left leg....id say about 8 inches long 4 inches wide...very hot, red, swollen went to dr he said it was a bad infection...cellulitus. The antibiotics he gave me kicked the hell out of it in just 48 hrs augmentin 875 mg 2 at night 1 in the am....my question is it looks as if it has started too cool down 80%...not really red..not really hot..just shiny and purpleish looking..is this normal>>> is this the stages of it as the infection dies>,,,,im just concerned,
Answers: 2 days ago i had an infection in my lower left leg....id say about 8 inches long 4 inches wide...very hot, red, swollen went to dr he said it was a bad infection...cellulitus. The antibiotics he gave me kicked the hell out of it in just 48 hrs augmentin 875 mg 2 at night 1 in the am....my question is it looks as if it has started too cool down 80%...not really red..not really hot..just shiny and purpleish looking..is this normal>>> is this the stages of it as the infection dies>,,,,im just concerned,
Yes, at this point seeing a lot of the redness disappear is a good sign that the antibiotics are working. They typically want to see you back again in about 48-72 hours to have a look and see that the medication is working. There will be some odd coloration of the skin at the site as it heals, anything from a bruise looking spot to a splotch red/pink look. Just be sure you continue taking the antibiotic and followup with your doctor as you were instructed to do. Try to keep your leg elevated as much as you can, and stay off it as much as you can to help it heal. What you are seeing is not scar formation, but the healing going on beneath the skin. The increased redness was originally due to the extra blood supply being brought to fight off the infection. There can be some bruising caused by the swelling, and that might be what you are seeing develop now. As long as you aren't running a temperature and aren't seeing red streaks coming up from the site, you should do just fine.
Thank goodness you got to the doctor so quickly. Cellulitus can be very insidious and dangerous if not treated.
The purplish color will continue for a while until healing is complete. Sometimes it will stay a while longer too.
I'm sure your doctor made a follow up appointment for you. Make sure you go.