Ahh Bless, he is poorly

On Thursday Bob developed a swollen ankle, and had a red rash up his leg, it was sore and itchy, he also had no energy, and had the shakes badly, on Friday it had spread, till he could barely walk.  I did tell him he needed to get it looked at.

This morning Bob went to Burton on Trent to a model train exhibition, staying at his friend Adams overnight, Adam and Andrea agreed with me that he needed to get it looked at, and took him to an NHS walk in centre in Peterborough, where they diagnosed him with Cellulitis, they prescribed him 500mg C-Fluampicil and told him it could be quite serious and if that doesn't clear it up he needs to go to A and E to be admitted and put on an IV, as that is the only cure.  He got the prescription from a late night Asda Pharmacy. The whole thing from start to finish took an hour and half

Wow you wouldn't get such efficient fast treatment round here.

Cellulitis

Skin infection - bacterial

Last reviewed: April 17, 2009.

Cellulitis is a common skin infection caused by bacteria.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria are the most common causes of cellulitis.
The skin normally has many types of bacteria living on it. When there is a break in the skin, however, bacteria can enter the body and cause infection and inflammation. The skin tissues in the infected area become red, hot, irritated, and painful.
Risk factors for cellulitis include:

• Cracks or peeling skin between the toes
• History of peripheral vascular disease
• Injury or trauma with a break in the skin (skin wounds)
• Insect bites and stings, animal bites, or human bites
• Ulcers from diabetes or a blockage in the blood supply (ischemia)
• Use of corticosteroid medications or medications that suppress the immune system
• Wound from a recent surgery

Symptoms

• Fever
• Signs of infection:
  
  • Chills, shaking
  • Fatigue
  • General ill feeling (malaise)
  • Muscle aches, pains (myalgias)
  • Warm skin, sweating
• Pain or tenderness in the area with the rash or sore
• Skin redness or inflammation that increases in size as the infection spreads
• Skin sore or rash (macule):
  
  • Comes on suddenly
  • Grows quickly in the first 24 hours
  • Usually has sharp borders
• Tight, glossy, "stretched" appearance of the skin
• Warmth over the area of redness

Other symptoms that can occur with this disease:

• Hair loss at the site of infection
• Joint stiffness caused by swelling of the tissue over the joint
• Nausea and vomiting

Signs and tests

During a physical examination, the doctor may find:

• Redness, warmth, and swelling of the skin
• Swelling and drainage if the infection is around a skin wound
• Swollen glands (lymph nodes) near the cellulitis

Your health care provider may mark the edges of the redness with a pen, to see if the redness goes past the marked border over the next several days.
Tests that may be used:

• Blood culture
• Complete blood count (CBC)

Treatment

Cellulitis treatment may require a hospital stay if:

• You are very sick (very high temperature, blood pressure problems, nausea and vomiting that does not go away)
• You have been on antibiotics and the infection is getting worse
• Your immune system is not working well (due to cancer, HIV)
• You have an infection around your eyes

Most of the time, treatment with oral antibiotics and close follow-up is enough. Treatment is focused on controlling the infection and preventing complications.
You may receive antibiotics to control the infection, and analgesics to control pain.
Raise the infected area higher than your heart to reduce swelling. Rest until your symptoms improve.

Expectations (prognosis)

It is possible to be cured with 7 - 10 days of treatment. Cellulitis may be more severe in people with chronic diseases and those who are more prone to infection because their immune system is not working properly (immunosuppressed).
People with fungal infections of the feet may have cellulitis that keeps coming back. The cracks in the skin offer an opening for bacteria to get inside.

Complications

• Bone infection (osteomyelitis)
• Inflammation of the lymph vessels (lymphangitis)
• Meningitis (if cellulitis is on the face)
• Sepsis, shock
• Tissue death (gangrene)

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if:

• You have symptoms of cellulitis
• You are being treated for cellulitis and you develop new symptoms, such as persistent fever, drowsiness, lethargy, blistering over the cellulitis, or red streaks that spread

Seek medical attention immediately if the cellulitis is on your face.

Prevention

Protect your skin by:

• Keeping your skin moist with lotions or ointments to prevent cracking
• Wearing shoes that fit well and provide enough room for your feet
• Learning how to trim your nails to avoid harming the skin around them
• Wearing appropriate protective equipment when participating in work or sports

Whenever you have a break in the skin:

• Clean the break carefully with soap and water
• Cover with a bandage and change it every day until a scab forms
• Watch for redness, pain, drainage, or other signs of infection

Co-fluampicil

Important: co-fluampicil is a type of penicillin antibiotic and it should not be taken by anyone who is allergic to penicillins. Co-fluampicil should be taken when your stomach is empty. This means an hour before food or 2 hours after food. Space the doses evenly throughout the day. Keep taking this medicine until the course is finished, unless you are told to stop.

About co-fluampicil

Type of medicine	Penicillin antibiotic
Used for	Bacterial infections
Also called	Magnapen®
Available as	Capsules, oral liquid, and injection

About co-fluampicil

Co-fluampicil contains two penicillin antibiotics in equal amounts, flucloxacillin and ampicillin.

It is used to treat bacterial infections such as infections of the chest or skin. It works by killing or stopping the growth of bacteria that cause the infection.

Before taking co-fluampicil

Before taking co-fluampicil make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• If you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
• If you have glandular fever.
• If you have liver problems or have ever had liver problems after taking an antibiotic.
• If you have kidney problems.
• If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal and complementary medicines.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine. It is particularly important that you tell your doctor if you are allergic to any antibiotics.

How to take co-fluampicil

• Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack.
• Take co-fluampicil exactly as your doctor has told you.
• Co-fluampicil is usually taken every six hours. Space the doses evenly throughout the day.
• Keep taking this antibiotic until the course is finished unless you are told to stop. This is to prevent your infection from coming back.
• Take co-fluampicil when your stomach is empty. This means an hour before food or 2 hours after food.
• Try not to miss any doses. If you do forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is nearly time for your next dose, in which case leave out the missed dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Some people develop thrush (redness and itching in the mouth or vagina) after taking a course of antibiotics. If you think you have thrush speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
• If you are using oral combined hormonal contraception (the 'pill'), additional contraceptive precautions such as condoms are not required during a course of this antibiotic unless you are sick or have diarrhoea. If you need further advice, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
• If you are having an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking a penicillin.
• This antibiotic may stop the oral typhoid vaccine from working. If you are having any vaccinations, make sure the person treating you knows that you are taking this medicine.
• If you still feel unwell after completing your course of co-fluampicil, make another appointment to see your doctor.

Can co-fluampicil cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. These usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side-effects continue or become troublesome.

Common side-effects	What can I do if I experience this
Feeling or being sick, stomach ache	Eat little and often and stick to simple or bland foods
Diarrhoea	Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids. If the diarrhoea is severe or lasts for more than 24 hours, see your doctor
Thrush, skin rash and itching	Speak with your doctor or pharmacist for advice

Important: If you experience any of the following rare symptoms, stop taking co-fluampicil and contact your doctor for advice straight away:

• Swelling of your tongue, mouth, or face, or any problems with your breathing.
• A severe itchy skin rash.
• Jaundice, fever or pain in your joints.
• Severe diarrhoea.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.