Trip to the E.R.

My mom has been complaining of her right ankle bothering her for the past week or so. (Pain, swelling, redness)I told her a couple of days ago; "It looks like you have cellullitis". She has been taking ibuprofen and keeping her leg elevated.

Today the redness had moved about another 1/2" up her leg. I told her we were going to the doctor's office and get it checked out. I couldn't get her in to my family doctor, so Dad & I took her to the local hospital - Baylor Carrollton.

The Emergency Room was not busy at 10am. She got right in, waited for labs & a doppler study of her right leg. The doppler study was negative. The labs showed an infection.
Diagnosis = Cellullitis of right ankle.
She was given IV Antibiotics (Clindamycin) and was sent home with 2 prescriptions for oral antibiotics (Clindamycin & Bactrim DS) as well as pain medication (Vicodin).

Cellulitis (sel-u-LI-tis) is a common, potentially serious bacterial skin infection. Cellulitis appears as a swollen, red area of skin that feels hot and tender, and it may spread rapidly. Skin on lower legs is most commonly affected, though cellulitis can occur anywhere on your body or face. Cellulitis may affect only your skin's surface — or, cellulitis may also affect tissues underlying your skin and can spread to your lymph nodes and bloodstream.

Left untreated, the spreading infection may rapidly turn life-threatening. That's why it's important to seek immediate medical attention if cellulitis symptoms occur.

Cellulitis is caused by a type of bacteria entering the skin, usually by way of a cut, abrasion, or break in the skin. This break does not need to be visible. Group A Streptococcus and Staphylococcus are the most common of these bacteria, which are part of the normal flora of the skin, but normally cause no actual infection while on the skin's outer surface.

Predisposing conditions for cellulitis include insect or spider bite, blistering, animal bite, tattoos, pruritic (itchy) skin rash, recent surgery, athlete's foot, dry skin, eczema, pregnancy, diabetes and obesity, as well as burns and boils, though there is debate as to whether minor foot lesions contribute.

She did recently go to the podiatrist on Monday. hmmmm???

Risk Factors: (She has 3 of the 4)
1) The elderly and those with immunodeficiency (a weakened immune system) are especially vulnerable to contracting cellulitis.
2) Lymphedema, which causes swelling on the arms and/or legs, can also put an individual at risk.
3) Diseases that affect blood circulation in the legs and feet, such as chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins, are also risk factors for cellulitis.
4)Cellulitis is also extremely prevalent among dense populations sharing hygiene facilities and common living quarters, such as military installations, college dormitories, nursing homes, oil platforms and homeless shelters.

Prayers for a speedy recovery!!