cellulitis

If you have cellulitis in your foot how long should you stay off your feet for?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Cellulitis is bacterial infection of the lower layers of skin (dermis) and the subcutaneous tissues (areas underneath the skin). Cellulitis is caused by a type of bacteria entering the skin, usually by way of a cut, abrasion or break in the skin which need not be visible. Topical and oral antibiotics is the treatment of choice and you need to avoid putting bay weight on the effected foot till there is complete healing.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[LeslieK55]

I definately agree with Dr. Kaur,  I have been battling this since May of this year.  It was so serious that I went to the doctor one day in May and was directed to see an orthopedic surgeon that same day.  The next morning I was in surgery, was in the hospital for 4 days.  They were afraid that they were going to have to amputate the foot.  I was on vancamycin IV drip for 5 weeks twice daily.  I have been told that the feet and the hands are the slowest parts of the body to heal.  On that note, if you smoke, stop, take a multi-vitamin, vitamin D, rest, keep your foot elevated.  Let me tell you, it's a very long process!

Leslie