What Causes A Hardness After Treating The Infected Area On The Forearm?

Posted on Fri, 27 Oct 2017

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

Fri, 27 Oct 2017 Answered on

Wed, 22 Nov 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi, I had an infection on the 6th, prescribed keflex for 10 days. The left forearm it was on was swollen noticeably. After 3/10 days of Keflex swelling was gone, for the most part, I finished the last pill of Keflex around 8 days ago. Today I went to Doc for the 3rd time to look at the infection and she was surprised that the infected site on the left forearm is still harder than the similar area on right forearm but doesn't feel I need more antibiotics and told me to take over the counter Advil for the swelling. My question that I didn't think of asking. Is this bad? What could be the reason for the infection site on the left forearm that looks healed to be harder than the similar spot on my 'normal' right forearm? Also what does Advil do exactly, I thought it's for headaches which I don't have, I do feel light headed for days, hard to focus. Pic 1, 2,3 are from my infection site on left forearm, Pic 4 and 5 are from my 'normal' right forearm. Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
area remains hard for sometime post recovery from inflammation .

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear

Warm welcome to Healthcaremagic.com
I have evaluated your query thoroughly .

* The area recovered from the infection , seems to have altered texture ( as
feeling hard ) for some duration upto the period till the tissue gains its
normal texture
So , it is not considered bad .

* Advil is an anti inflammatory drug , it is not so that it is used only for
headache.
It has multiple actions on the tissue , helping to gain tissue its normal
texture early by controlling inflammation as well as pain relief .

* I have evaluated your pictures of previous questions attachments , herewith
there are no attachments .

Hope this will help you for sure .

Wishing you fine recovery .
Welcome for any further assistance .

Regards .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (19 minutes later)

Hi, Im pretty sure I attached before sending. Anyways here they are, 1, 2,3 are from infected site. 4,5 is normal forearm. Do you have more to add after seeing the pics?Also if I look closely there's is swelling on the healed infected site. So which type of Adil do you recommend? Extra strength? Normal? Or Long-lasting? THANKS!

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
follow up .

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear

Welcome for the follow up with details of photographs .

* Advil ( 400 ) mg 3 times a day after meals preferably with antacids
recommended

* Additionally , I recommend to

- apply polymycin ointment over the erupted sites 3 - 4 times a day for
faster recovery .
- avoid exposure to direct sunlight .
- wear loose , clean , cotton clothes .
- maintain hydration with plenty of liquids .

* Follow up recommended after 48 hours about the progress of the same
or early for any further doubts .

Regards .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (1 hour later)

Hi, can you see the photographs? Aren't they usually visible at the bottom, I can't see them. I keep getting Server error. I'm attaching fewer pics this timenfor reference. Also by 400mg, can I take 2x200mg? I don't see one that's 400mg

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
follow up .

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear

Yes there are all 3 attachments clearly visible herewith .

* Can take Advil 2x200mg surely .

* After thorough evaluation of all these pics precisely , I agree with your doctor
that you do not require further antibiotics at present .

Regards .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (7 hours later)

Hi, Thanks. How long do you think I should take advil for? As in, how long should I see a difference. And is this only temporary? I should add, not sure if you can see from the pictures but the infected site is not only harder but is a bit swollen. I added two new pics showing the difference between the swollen and normal. Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Advil for 5 days at present .

Detailed Answer:
Welcome dear .

* Advil is recommended for a period of 5 days for current condition , further need
depends upon the status at that time .

* I have seen another 2 pictures attached thoroughly with high resolution .
That difference of swelling is normal for period upto even 3 weeks in some
cases .

* So do not worry , it will come around .
Can start applying ice over the part 2 - 3 times a day for better results

Regards .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (29 minutes later)

Hi, sorry I should have asked before. 1) Is a generic Ibuprofen OK? I have one bottle from equate 200mg. 2) The antacid, do i take it with the Ibuprofen or just if I feel constipated? The first dose did make me feel constipated but I didn't buy the anti acid then. The second dose, couple minutes ago I don't feel constipated atm, do I take it anyway?

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
generic ibuprofen should be taken with antacids preferably .

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear

* No sorry please , you can ask anytime .

* Yes it is generic ibuprofen .

* Antacid like ranitidine ( 150 mg ) or omeprazole ( 20 mg ) is recommended
for prevention of acidity and stomach issues from NSAID ; so should take it .
It is not for constipation avoidance .

Regards .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (37 minutes later)

Hi, how about 1000mg calcium carbonate tablet, recommend dose is "chew 2-3 tablets", maximum 8 tablets a day. These are over the counter antacid I found. Do I need different? Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
yes can be taken definitely .

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear

* Surely can take it 3 times a day to neutralise the stomach acid .

Regards .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (9 hours later)

Hi, Thanks. I read the description on the antacid, it says shouldnt take with medicine as it can interfere with it. Do I space out the time I took Ibuprofen and Antacid? If so how long? Or I can eat one right after the other?

Oh, how bad is it if I took food, ibuprofen, the antacid 15m later. I should have waited for your reply but I needed to follow a schedule. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Bhagyesh V. Patel (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
Should chew the antacid first , take ibuprofen 1 hour after that and with food.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Should chew the antacid first, take ibuprofen 1 hour after that and with food.

Regards.

Brief Answer:
follow up .

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Single dose does not make that big issue dear , next time manage like explained .

Regards .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D