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What does cellulitis of the knee look like?
In general, cellulitis appears as a red, swollen, and painful area of skin that is warm and tender to the touch. The skin may look pitted, like the peel of an orange, or blisters may appear on the affected skin. Some people may also develop fever and chills.
How is cellulitis of the knee treated?
Cellulitis treatment typically involves taking antibiotics by mouth for a minimum of 5 days . Your doctor may also prescribe pain relievers. However, in some cases, doctors will administer intravenous (IV) antibiotics as soon as they diagnose symptoms. You should rest until your symptoms improve.
What can be mistaken for cellulitis?
Several common conditions can mimic cellulitis, creating a potential for misdiagnosis and incorrect management. The most common disorders mistaken for lower limb cellulitis include venous eczema, lipodermatosclerosis, irritant dermatitis, and lymphedema.
How do I know if I have an infection in my knee?
Knee infection symptoms
- inability to move your knee due to pain or stiffness.
- chills and nausea.
- fever that lasts for more than 24 hours.
- swelling around your knee.
- redness or irritation at your knee.
What is septic knee?
A septic (infected) knee is most often caused by bacteria (such as staph or strep), but in rare instances can be caused by other microorganisms. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is essential in the native knee to avoid rapid destruction of the cartilage and bone in the knee.
How long does a knee infection take to heal?
Antibiotic treatment might take 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the type of bacterial infection you have and your overall medical condition. Your doctor might drain the fluid around the joint. This helps reduce pressure and eliminate harmful bacteria.
What antibiotics treat leg cellulitis?
The best antibiotic to treat cellulitis include dicloxacillin, cephalexin, trimethoprim with sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, or doxycycline antibiotics. Cellulitis is a deep skin infection that spreads quickly.
What looks like cellulitis but is not?
Erythema nodosum, another benign cause of redness in the legs, can be confused with cellulitis. In erythema nodosum, there is inflammation of the fat under the skin, which causes tender knots under the skin that are bright red at first.
How serious is cellulitis of the leg?
Complications of cellulitis can be very serious. These can include extensive tissue damage and tissue death (gangrene). The infection can also spread to the blood, bones, lymph system, heart, or nervous system. These infections can lead to amputation, shock, or even death.