Why do I keep getting "Cellulitis" in/on the skin of my ankle all the time?

Question

It is only on my left leg, and has gotten so bad that it has moved all the way up almost to the knee. Could it have something to do with water retention, or being on my feet too much? Have you ever had this problem. I have to get on antibiotics. I have had it 4 times this summer.

Sorry, it is mainly on my right leg, but has been on my left and also once on my arm, where I have lymphadema.

Usually no breaks in the skin, no diabetes, no medications as referred to below, just when sometimes I am on my feet too much, and swells up. I might be run down, even though no indication from recent blood work. I am baffled that it comes so often, but might be never completely cleared up.... Any more comments are welcome and helpful.

No beer, and no pork, but I have eaten salty foods, chips, at Halloween visiting relatives, which probably did this, maybe this time around. Thanks, but please keep on giving me more answers...

Answer 1

I could give you the medical school answer, which I finished you would be looking at your computer screen as though a zebra just licked you between the eyes, or I could give you the answer that you will understand. Will do my very best to do the latter. Hope this helps.

Let's go out on a limb here and say your a senior citizen. As we age our skin becomes damaged like the rest of our body. Cellulitis, which is caused by bacteria, is entering your leg through normal aging skin or via damaged skin either by disease or injury.

Now the fact that you mention water retention raises the red flag for me. I would bet the farm you have hypertension or "High Blood Pressure". If so, you will always have some degree of swelling (ie. edemia) in your arms and legs. The short answer is this only adds or compounds your skin problem.

You also go on to say you feel as though "your own your feet too much". Well that tells me that you stand for long periods which places stress on your already "fired up" or angry skin. When sitting, try to sit with your legs up such as you would in a "easy chair" or recliner.

When you get your legs cleared up and Cellulitis free, start with moisture. Several times daily, apply a moisture rich lotion or cream. You may want to start with a product Utter Cream or Zim's Crack Cream found at your drug store. Ask your pharmacist. This will start the process of skin repair.

Next, each time you bath, with warm water and a quality soap, wash your legs and when out of the bath, apply the lotion or cream. This will help rid your legs of the bacteria causing your condition.

Start taking a 1000 I.U. daily dosage of Vitamin E. Overtime, this will promote healthy skin and aid in healing of damaged skin. This part of the treatment will take several months to develop. Vitamins take time to work but THEY DO WORK. On top of that you may want a multi-vitamin.

This are just things that will help reduce your occurences of Cellulitis. My own grandmother suffered with this condition for many of the last years of her life. It is not easy to clear up and keep your legs clear. I will say that I have yet to see a case of Cellulitis on the arms. You may want to consult with a local dermatologist (skin doctor).

Again, hope this helps. Let us know how it works out for you.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Have you ever gotten a recurring zit in the same place. Cellulitis in a particular spot may be the same type of problem. Perhaps it doesn't heal all the way. Do you smoke or have diabetes? Both of these make it hard for your body to heal itself even if the bacteria is gone, making you more suseptable to further infections.

Answer 4

your diet has alot to do with it. also age.and if you have sprained or injured your ankle this disease can pop up at anytime.the tissue becomes inflamed and your ankle swells . if you drink beer and eat pork you will continue to have problems.any heavily salted foods will cause the problem as well and will not go away. there isn't a cure for it but meds can make it less frequent. as you mentioned your on your feet alot so purchase a good shoe that will support your ankle and if you don't have to wear shoes that are the dressy type purchase a pair of new balance brand tennis shoes.they conform to your foot and i have bought over 7 or 8 pairs since a orthopedic doctor told me that this brand was the best shoe for your feet.

Answer 5

Cellulitis is an acute inflammation of the connective tissue of the skin, caused by infection with staphylococcus, streptococcus or other bacteria

The skin normally has many types of bacteria living on it, but intact skin is an effective barrier that keeps these bacteria from entering and growing within the body. When there is a break in the skin, however, bacteria can enter the body and grow there, causing infection and inflammation. The skin tissues in the infected area become red, hot, irritated and painful.

Cellulitis is most common on the lower legs and the arms or hands, although other areas of the body may sometimes be involved. If it involves the face (erysipelas), medical attention is urgent. People with fungal infections of the feet, who have skin cracks in the webspaces between the toes, may have cellulitis that keeps coming back, because the cracks in the skin offer an opening for bacteria.

Risk factors for cellulitis include:

Insect bites and stings, animal bite, or human bite
Injury or trauma with a break in the skin (skin wounds)
History of peripheral vascular disease
Diabetes -related or ischemic ulcers
Cracks or peeling skin between the toes
Use of immunosuppressive or corticosteroid medications


Symptoms

Localized skin redness or inflammation that increases in size as the infection spreads
Tight, glossy, "stretched" appearance of the skin
Pain or tenderness of the area
Skin lesion or rash (macule):
Sudden onset
Usually with sharp borders
Rapid growth within the first 24 hours
Warmth over the area of redness
Fever
Other signs of infection:
Chills, shaking
Warm skin, sweating
Fatigue
Muscle aches, pains (myalgias)
General ill feeling (malaise)


Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:
Nausea and vomiting
Joint stiffness caused by swelling of the tissue over the joint
Hair loss at the site of infection

Signs and tests

During a physical examination, the doctor may find localized swelling. Occasionally, swollen glands (lymph nodes) can be detected near the cellulitis. Your health care provider may mark the edges of the redness with a pen, to see if the redness extends beyond the marked border over the next several days.

Tests that may be used:

A CBC may show an elevated white blood cell count, and indicates a bacterial infection.
A blood culture may be performed if generalized infection is suspected.


TREATMENT

Cellulitis treatment may require hospitalization if it is severe enough to warrant intravenous antibiotics and close observation. At other times, treatment with oral antibiotics and close outpatient follow-up is enough. Treatment is focused on control of the infection and prevention of complications.

Antibiotics are given to control infection, and analgesics may be needed to control pain.

Elevate the infected area, usually higher than the heart, to minimize swelling. Rest until symptoms improve

Cure is possible with 7 to 10 days of treatment. Cellulitis may be more severe in people with chronic diseases and people who are susceptible to infection

PREVENTION

Avoid skin damage by wearing appropriate protective equipment when participating in work or sports. Also, clean any breaks in the skin carefully and watch for redness, pain, drainage, or other signs of infection.

Finally, maintain good general health and control chronic medical conditions. A body that is healthy can more easily fight bacteria before they multiply and cause infection, while a body that is run down has less protection against infection

Answer 6

Cellulite does not come from a single cause. It almost always comes from a combination of generic and hormonal factors.Some wrong behaviors, however, can cause or even worsen cellulite: a life that is too sedentary, altered blood circulation, incorrect diet with insufficient intake of fluids, smoking and alcoholic beverages, high heels and close-fitting garments. The plasma fluid, transudated from impaired and weakened capillaries, accumulates and stagnates in surface adipose tissue.
Cellulite can be reduced by a balanced diet and specific treatments https://tr.im/MZmUM

Answer 7

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Answer 8

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Answer 9

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