What Causes Itching In Cellulitis While On Augmentin?

Posted on Fri, 24 Oct 2014

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

Fri, 24 Oct 2014 Answered on

Wed, 12 Nov 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : 12 y.o male pre diabetic with cellulitis left leg after injury. is on oral augmentin (max dose) since Tuesday, Oct 21. the area of cellulitis is now itching .
is it normal for the cellulitis to be itching?? Im worried about this. he is on claritin for allergies (the dr told him to stop this while on antibiotics) i am worried that he is allergic to the antibiotic?? what does the itching mean???

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Normal

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

It is normal in patients with cellulitis to have mild itching at the site, it can either due to the dressing or at times the new granulation tissue ( new skin formation) itches. Try not to scratch when it itches.
The other most common reason for itching is moistness and sweat over the area. Make sure that the area is clean and away from moisture

I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (15 minutes later)

thanks

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
Hello

If my advise was helpful write me a review, it makes me happy.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (30 hours later)

today is 10/25/14 at 3:00pm

Hi

the Doctor switched antibiotics from Augmentin to Bactrim on Friday morning 10/24/14. (to be given every 12 hours)
Friday was essentially "test dose" day, so he only got one pill.

On friday night, the leg was greatly improved. About 70% of the leg was clearing with about a 2 inch wide by 4 inch long rectangle of redness.

this morning, saturday 10/25/14, there was no redness at all. the previous red area (2" x 4" rectangle) is turning shades of brown. Is this normal? Should I worry? Does this mean that the tissue is dying??

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (11 minutes later)

what does healing cellulitis look like??

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for getting back, its nice to hear that the wound is healing. It is a little difficult for me to imagine what you have described. Redness of the healing tissue does not become brown however the previous infected tissue turns dark brown in colour, if you could attach the picture it would be of great help. I could see and decide if its improving or not

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (6 hours later)

EEK! I see that my previous email was confusing. It was an area of cellulitis that I was previously referring to. Its kind of hard to describe the color. Its more like a darker red /brown. Unfortunately, i do not have a picture.

Another issue has come up. There are three dark spots around the actual wound(maybe a millimeter in length? They look like moles)

None of the three spots are in the actual wound. (its an open wound)
One is above it, another to the side, And a third spot looks like it was a part of an everted skin edge.

Are these spots dead tissue?
Could this be some sort of infections process that the antibiotic (Bactrim) does not address?

any thoughts on what these spots could be would be greatly appreciated
10/26/14 1:32 am

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (47 minutes later)

also, how urgent is this? He will see his doctor again on monday. its very early sunday morning 10/26/14 can this wait until tomorrow? please advise

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

The three spots what you are describing might be blood clots, it is common to have mild discolouration around wound. I dont think it is an emergency, you can wait till monday.

Some of the danger signs are

1. Local rise of temperature
2. Increase in pain
3. Peripheries ( area away from the wound) becoming cold
4. High grade fever
5. Greenish discouration and oozing of pus along with foul odor

I hope I was of help, i would have been able to add much more if I had a look at the wound

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (4 hours later)

there is also what looks like a pimple on the outside of the wound. (kind of below it to the right) . it looks like it is filled with opaque white material. I was concerned that it was MRSA.

this morning there is no change to the wound.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Cannot be MRSA

Detailed Answer:
Hello

The pimple outside of the wound might be a blister, it cannot be MRSA as patients with MRSA infected wound would be toxic and almost always require Intra venous antibiotics for control of the infection.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (2 hours later)

ok thanks so much for your help

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Brief answer:

Detailed Answer:
You are welcome

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar