What Causes Severe Swelling And Pain In The Forearm When Diagnosed With Cellulitis?

Posted on Mon, 13 Mar 2017

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

Mon, 13 Mar 2017 Answered on

Mon, 3 Apr 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : My daughter was diagnosed with cellulitis in her left forearm. She was prescribed ceftin. She got this Rx Thursday evening. Her arm is now swelling more and is hurts more. Can she wait until morning to see a Dr?

Answered by Dr. Mahaveer Patil (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Emergency

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for posting the question.
I have gone through your medical history in detail.

If the swelling and pain is increasing more and more,then i think you should not wait until morning as this may be the onset of compartment syndrome

Every minute is important and if the swelling keeps increasing,it may lead to muscle damage and necrosis.

You should take her to emergency department as soon as possible and get checked by a orthopaedic surgeon.

Get a Xray done with compartment syndrome measurement.

Keep a watch on the temperature and color of the fingers.
The fingers should be warm and pink.

I hope the answer was useful.

Feel free to ask me any follow up queries that you may have.

Thank you.
Kind regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy