Anybody Ever Have Cellulitis?

[Vela]

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection in the skin. It's actual clinical definition is "a spreading inflammation of subcutneous or connective tissue". It appears as a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender and it can spread. If left untreated it can become life-threatening and can spread to beneath the skin and to the lymph nodes. Lots of people get it and they use antibiotics to clear it up. It's usually simple, unless someone lets it go too long. Often it is caused by staph or strep and is usually treated with the antibiotic Keflex. Most times you take antibiotics for ten days and then you are fine.

It's actually not a virus, like shingles (herpes zoster virus) is but it can become a secondary bacterial infection for people who have shingles. Any open wound can result in cellulitis if someone is prone to it or has a weakned immune sytem.

If it gets worse then see your doctor and he can most likely clear it up no problem. It's not the herpes zoster virus.

[Edwina's Secretary]

My brother is EXTREMELY sensitive to poison ivy so he is VERY careful to avoid it.

Many years ago he was training for a marathon....running out in the country where he lived. One day while running, his body announced the need for an emergency stop. There was no place around except the woods for "doing business." He did and then looked for some leaves with which to wipe. Carefully he found a plant that was NOT poison ivy.

Well...it was poison oak.

He could not wear underwear and had to sit rather carefully. However, to his credit....he raced and finished....not an exceptional time, but he finished.

[elizabethann]

Well I don't have Cellulitis. I just have severe poison ivy (she had some big name for it - can't remember) and I'm on Amoxicillan for a week. I just can't wait till it clears up and I can shave and not be uncomfortable with the irritation and itching!

Thanks for everybody's help.

[Craftlady]

Glad to hear it is just poison ivy.

[Pembroke_Corgi]

I'm glad you don't have that! I had THE WORST poison ivy rash last summer ON MY FACE!!!! It was pure torture. To make it worse I had started a job where I needed a photo ID and they took my picture with my flaring red cheeks. Thankfully I don't work there anymore, I hated that picture!

I hope everything clears up quickly with you, I know what agony you're in!