Cellulitis Alternative Remedies

[eve1974]

Hello

Anyone tried alternative remedies for cellulitis?

I'm at my wits end with hubbies cellulitis (both legs) and today I've taken to making a poultice of: tea tree, origanum, fennacreek, charcoal, calendula...

I KNOW logic says once the bacteria is already in the lowest layers of skin that outside treatment won't work but thinking nothing ventured nothing gained.

[CailinDeas]

Eve, I too have it in both legs. On oral antibiotic for past week plus Flamazine cream. No appreciable improvement. Am not diabetic (at least not 3 months ago). Appointment to see dermatologist on Monday. Should have mentioned that this is my third time also. I do suffer from exceedingly dry and cracked skin which I imagine is the cause. Central heating doesn't help in my case though I am careful with hydration.
Good luck to you and to your husband.

[eve1974]

Oh so YOU know exactly how it is. Good luck at dermatologist. Never heard of anyone else having it in both legs (at same time I presume?) so it's pretty unusual.... not to mention UNLUCKY! How long in between (u say it's third time) outbreaks has it it been (hubbies pretty much re occurs a week or so after antibiotics finish) keep us posted in here as to what dermatologist suggests please

[eve1974]

Hello - a few hours of poultice last night. Looks less swollen (been kept elevated all night so that's prob why). redness seems to look less "fierce" tho the patch is still same size. Also got a new "central " dark dark patch in middle of the red patch area. Maybe (poultice) drawing Bacteria out Through that patch. Not sure if that makes scientific sense (prob not) but we willing to try anything

[eve1974]

Ps this time (started up Thursday late night) he has not yet got antibiotics... couldn't get A gp appt yesterday!!

Weee going to try walk in centre this morning but as it's not got worse overnight might try watchful waiting and see.

Anyway in the past ...a day (or less!) with no antibiotics would have seen it spread right up the legs and sent his temperature high this time its "contained".

Maybe it's the poultice ? But how would that work if cellulitis is in the very lowest level of dermis

[CailinDeas]

Eve, Update as promised.
Not cellulitis at all - it's a vascular problem - blood flow to legs very poor. Referral to vascular consultant. Apparently it is impossible to have Cellulitis (an infection) in both legs at once.
Hope all goes well for you and for your husband.

[Patsy33]

Hope something can now be done for your husband. Good luck.x

[bookbinder]

My GP prescribed Betnovate cream, and it has removed the soreness, but the flaky skin and the redness are still there. I can live with the flakiness and the redness, as they aren't at all bad. I have to apply the Betnovate twice a day, which is no trouble. Well, it worked for me, and it might work for your husband.

[eve1974]

@cailindeas...I'd logged on specifically to see how it went at dermatologist so thank for keeping us updated. Did your dermatologist say why your veins may be not so great (I realise it's not his speciality). So did the circulation allow infection to brew? Or was there no infection at all and the redness, pain, swelling due to poor circulation?

[eve1974]

Thanks for wishes patsy and bookbinder re betnovate

[CailinDeas]

No infection at all. Lack of blood to lower legs is the culprit. STRONG warning to see vascular guy urgently to remove risk of toe amputation. Have to confess, with some shame, that I'm a smoker. That will have to change too.

[CailinDeas]

One more thing - elevating legs at every opportunity is deemed to be very important.

[eve1974]

Good luck with vascular specialist:). Least u on way to being diagnosed . And gp was convinced it was infection? Interesting. Now without wanting to play "doctor" I'm curious if u had other symptoms? For eg have u been breathless (hubby has for past 3month and he's normally fit) or anything else?

[CailinDeas]

Breathless - yes. However I considered this to be because I smoked. Antibiotics finished to-day - legs a little better. Have elevated them as much as possible. Am toying with the idea of using manuka honey on the ulcer. Must investigate. Also planning on introducing Beet It Concentrate (beetroot juice)
in an effort to reduce BP. Am not a great pill lover - prefer natural stuff.
Hope your husband feels better too and that you have stopped worrying.