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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes A Rash On The Left Thigh?

My friend Carol is a quadriplegic. She has what she describes as a rash on only her left thigh. I looked at it today and it is red almost all the way around from her knee to her groin. It is not a raised rash, more of a flushing type look, no itching, or very little, dryness of the skin and very warm compared to her cool right leg. She is almost skin and bones, but this is the appearance when laying on her back. When she sits upright it is spotchier looking. She tried to get her family doc to come do a house visit today, but she was on her way out of town, so maybe next week. Her caregiver CNA thought it might be a circulation issue. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Fri, 8 May 2015
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Diabetologist,  's  Response
Hi. To begin with I need to thank you for being so descriptive. Well, Ms.Carol could be possibly having either a cellulitis or a deep vein thrombosis. The dryness of the skin and mild itching favours more a diagnosis of mild cellulitis which could be bacterial or fungal in origin. DVT is less likely as the primary problem there would be pain. But prolonged duration in bed especially if immobile predisposes one to having a DVT. However in her case, with the findings you gave me I feel its cellulitis more than DVT. She will settle with a course of anti infective medications and local care. Take care. Regards, Dr Praveen
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What Causes A Rash On The Left Thigh?

Hi. To begin with I need to thank you for being so descriptive. Well, Ms.Carol could be possibly having either a cellulitis or a deep vein thrombosis. The dryness of the skin and mild itching favours more a diagnosis of mild cellulitis which could be bacterial or fungal in origin. DVT is less likely as the primary problem there would be pain. But prolonged duration in bed especially if immobile predisposes one to having a DVT. However in her case, with the findings you gave me I feel its cellulitis more than DVT. She will settle with a course of anti infective medications and local care. Take care. Regards, Dr Praveen