Aa
Infection or allergic reaction?
I got a burn on my left thigh about two weeks ago and was treated for cellulitis with 500mg keflex three times a day. When I only had four pills left, I was coming down with some sort of virus, and found it impossible to stomach the antibiotics, so I stopped taking them. A few days later, I noticed that the skin around the burn was still warm to the touch (not burning hot but definitely warmer than the rest of my skin) and that I still had a low-grade fever (ranging from 99.0-99.9). Also, I noticed that my entire body felt like it was constantly trembling and that my pulse was constantly rapid. I went back to the doctor and he took a culture and gave me bactroban to put on the burn until the results come back. Since then, the area around the burn seems very faintly pink (when I had the cellulitis it was red) and still warm and tender to the touch, and also that I am experiencing alot of numbness and tingling and a burning sensation on my left leg, both arms, and my face. I am still shaking and my pulse is still rapid and my heart is fluttery. My family has a history of being allergic to sulfa products, so I was wondering if the numbness and tingling and burning sensation could be an allergic reaction to the bactroban, or maybe I am getting some sort of infection. All of these symptoms have become quite uncomfortable in the past few days. Any ideas?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi and thanks for usingthe forum.
Your skin being pink, warm and tender to touch around the burn site is expected after a burn injury.
The elevated heart rate, shivering feeling and numbness and tingling in your arms and face are not. I also doubt that it is an allergic reaction to the bactroban- I would expect to see a rash, hives, or redness at the site you were applying it to. Your symptoms could indicate an infection, though I would expect you to have a fever of 101 or more.
At this point I think you should contact the Dr. who prescribed your bactroban to see if your culture results are back and to let them know about your continued symptoms.
Also, if you have not had a tetnus booster in the last 5 years then you should have one when you have a burn injury. Good luck.
Bridget
Your skin being pink, warm and tender to touch around the burn site is expected after a burn injury.
The elevated heart rate, shivering feeling and numbness and tingling in your arms and face are not. I also doubt that it is an allergic reaction to the bactroban- I would expect to see a rash, hives, or redness at the site you were applying it to. Your symptoms could indicate an infection, though I would expect you to have a fever of 101 or more.
At this point I think you should contact the Dr. who prescribed your bactroban to see if your culture results are back and to let them know about your continued symptoms.
Also, if you have not had a tetnus booster in the last 5 years then you should have one when you have a burn injury. Good luck.
Bridget
Oh and my pulse was 114 last night if that helps
You are reading content posted in the Ask a Nurse Forum
Discharge often isn't normal, and could mean an infection or an STD.
In this unique and fascinating report from Missouri Medicine, world-renowned expert Dr. Raymond Moody examines what really happens when we almost die.
Think a loved one may be experiencing hearing loss? Here are five warning signs to watch for.
When it comes to your health, timing is everything
We’ve got a crash course on metabolism basics.
Learn what you can do to avoid ski injury and other common winter sports injury.
