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Suggest Antibiotics For Infection In A Diabetic Patient
Posted on
Sat, 24 Jan 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 24 Jan 2015
Answered on
Mon, 23 Feb 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : My dad is a diabetic...he has a boil on his foot as a result of hot water burn a week ago....his sugars are 300 and has pain in his foot. Would it be alright to use an antibiotic?
What I have is cefpodoxime 200mg also called Monocef-O 200 and Cifran 500. What should I do?
I have been applying charcoal poultice to the burned area. Changing it every 6 hrs.
What I have is cefpodoxime 200mg also called Monocef-O 200 and Cifran 500. What should I do?
I have been applying charcoal poultice to the burned area. Changing it every 6 hrs.
Brief Answer:
Need Podiatry evaluation
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern.
Sugars are surely high and need to be controlled. I will not recommend any of those antibiotics and rather prefer Augmentin or FLUCLOXACILLIN. It is required only if the burnt area is infected. Avoid walking with the affected foot. Use Silver sulfadiazine cream. Could you attach a photograph of the affected foot ?
Do you have a podiatrist available near by? It is better to show to a podiatrist as far as the wound is concerned.
Regards
Binu
Need Podiatry evaluation
Detailed Answer:
Good day,
Noted your concern.
Sugars are surely high and need to be controlled. I will not recommend any of those antibiotics and rather prefer Augmentin or FLUCLOXACILLIN. It is required only if the burnt area is infected. Avoid walking with the affected foot. Use Silver sulfadiazine cream. Could you attach a photograph of the affected foot ?
Do you have a podiatrist available near by? It is better to show to a podiatrist as far as the wound is concerned.
Regards
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have uploaded a couple of photos. One of the toes which seems to be healing well. My concern is the heel part. It is not oozing but the skin on the other side of the wound is soft. It has an odour.
I don't have access to a podiatrist until Tuesday.
I don't have access to a podiatrist until Tuesday.
Brief Answer:
Need antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the reply. The skin has lost the outer covering and is at risk of infection . Besides he appears to have a flat foot as well. Was it there from long time? Did he ever have charcot's foot? I presume the discoloration is due to te charcoal which you are applying.
Okay, I would that it is time to start an antibiotic. The recommendation would be AUGMENTIN 1000 mg twice daily ( if his kidney function is normal). If the kidney function is compromised, then this dose need to be modified. He will need a prescription for this antibiotic.
You must take him to an ER or after hours GP ( if available) if he develop any fever, more swelling or pain. As you know that diabetes foot is always a high risk foot.
He also require his diabetes control to be optimized.
He should minimize movements of affected leg a much as possible. You should be very careful applying any unsterilized material to an open wound. I wouldnt advice so. There is alway a risk of infectin through open wound. It is better to keep the leg raised at all times to reduce swelling. Swelling will delay healing. You may better apply SILVER sulfadiazide cream which may be available over the counter in any pharmacy.
As soon as you have an opportunity, take him to a podiatrist and your GP
Need antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the reply. The skin has lost the outer covering and is at risk of infection . Besides he appears to have a flat foot as well. Was it there from long time? Did he ever have charcot's foot? I presume the discoloration is due to te charcoal which you are applying.
Okay, I would that it is time to start an antibiotic. The recommendation would be AUGMENTIN 1000 mg twice daily ( if his kidney function is normal). If the kidney function is compromised, then this dose need to be modified. He will need a prescription for this antibiotic.
You must take him to an ER or after hours GP ( if available) if he develop any fever, more swelling or pain. As you know that diabetes foot is always a high risk foot.
He also require his diabetes control to be optimized.
He should minimize movements of affected leg a much as possible. You should be very careful applying any unsterilized material to an open wound. I wouldnt advice so. There is alway a risk of infectin through open wound. It is better to keep the leg raised at all times to reduce swelling. Swelling will delay healing. You may better apply SILVER sulfadiazide cream which may be available over the counter in any pharmacy.
As soon as you have an opportunity, take him to a podiatrist and your GP
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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