Sebaceous Cyst Infection On Leg, Painful Red Patches, Swelling In Leg Due To Varicose Veins?

Posted on Thu, 1 Sep 2011

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 1 Sep 2011 Answered on

Wed, 30 May 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a knot that came up on my leg around where I have trouble with vericose veins. I had some pain and had it checked out by a doctor in an express care. He said it was superficial and was not XXXXXXX It's been 5 days and the pain had almost went away, when all of a sudden it started hurting again, and now my leg is swollen and tight, and has some red patches on it? Is this something that can wait to be seen until I can scedule an appoointment, or should I do something else?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (13 minutes later)

Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

A superficial swelling on the leg with pain might be an infected Sebaceous cyst which can be treated with oral Antibiotics and removal of the cyst.

But the swelling of the leg with appearance of some red patches might be suggestive of something like XXXXXXX vein thrombosis( DVT) which needs an immediate attention to prevent spreading of the clots. Appearance of red patches may be related to a bleeding or coagulation disorder as well.

In DVT, the earlier the diagnosis, better are the chances of complete recovery.

I would suggest you to not wait till the morning and attend to an Emergency Room immediately for proper evaluation and to undergo the required investigations.

I hope my answer and recommendations are adequate and helpful. Waiting for your further follow up queries if any.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (1 hour later)

what kind of test will determine if it is dvt?
can vericose veins cause my ankles to swell?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rakhi Tayal (13 minutes later)

Hello.

Thanks for writing again.

For DVT( XXXXXXX Vein Thrombosis), color doppler study of the veins of lower limbs will be helpful in diagnosis.

Blood coagulation profile with APTT, PT, are also needed to detect the tendency of clot formation.

Varicose veins can cause swelling of feet but it is usually not associated with pain and the reddish rashes.

Wishing you an early recovery.

Regards.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E