Ankle and Leg - Red, slightly swollen, Hives running up leg

Not sure if allergy or infection.  

My ankle and lower leg is red, slightly swollen and has multiple red bumps, looks like hives.  Leg has a burning sensation. Noticed condition yesterday, worse this morning, redness and additional hives progressing up leg.

Not sure if allergy or infection or if I should seek medical help.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I certainly would consider medical help.  Causes includes a rash, allergy, infection, an ankle sprain, or varies causes of monoarthritis (i.e. infection, osteoarthritis, gout).  

The treatment would depend on what is causing this.  An infection can be treated with appropriate antibiotics, gout be treated with steroids or Indocin, or a rash or allergy treated with steroids.

Your primary care physician should be able to identify and appropriately treat this condition.  If not, then appropriate referrals should be made.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[dmarinucci07]

A related discussion, Leg Hives was started.