Cellulitis with psoriasis

[Autumn]

Hello all,

Has anyone here had problems with cellulitis with their psoriasis?  In the last year, I have developed venous insufficiency  in my lower right leg.  A small nick or bump on my leg turned into a wound and required wound care.  Most of last summer, I was wrapped up in dressings for that.  I have palmar/plantar psoriasis.  It improved, but throughout the year, the wound never quite healed.  Now, with the summer heat, it is back again.  My concern is that the cellulitis is lower on my ankle and closer to the cracks on my heel associated with the psoriasis.  I have been on repeat courses of antibiotics when it was appropriate with skin cultures and fever.  My wound care doctor advised me not to have anymore courses of antibiotics.  I understand that I don't want to take too many because of resistance.  I take a good probiotic daily.  My concern is that if there is bacterial infection, it could cause a staff infection or worse.  Can psoriatic patients have more trouble with infection due to open skin in an area close to the cellulitis?  Any thoughts or suggestions?

[Fred]

Hello Autumn to Psoriasis Club.

I would have thought that open skin such as raw psoriasis could get infected, but I'm not sure if people with psoriasis get more problems than others.

Hopefully someone else will know more.

Regards.

Fred.

[jiml]

Hi Autumn and welcome to the club. Having read your story and racked my brain, trying to remember if cellulitis has been posted about here ... I don't recall anything recent but I would suggest you put cellulitis in the search facility Search  and see what it brings up

I wish I could help but it's not something I know about

Good luck  
Jim

[Turnedlight]

Hi Autumn nice to meet you

I'm afraid I don't know much about cellulitis but I would have thought they would continue antibiotics until it is cleared up. Perhaps there is a topical antibiotic you can use or even something like hibiscrub wash to kill bacteria on the surface.

[Kat]

Welcome Autumn!

I have venous insufficiency in both legs. I was also diagnosed with Primary Lymphedema. This was prior to having psoriasis and my psoriasis was never bad on my legs. I do wear (or I am suppose to, I admit I do not always) support socks for my legs. Also I moisturize my legs often, that seems to help as otherwise they get a "cracked" look on the skin, specially around the ankles. When the lymphedema was at it's worst, I had to wrap my legs daily and use LOTS of lotion under the wraps. The therapist also said that with swelling and dry, cracked skin you are more prone to infection. He also suggested using only an electric shaver as it's less likely to knick or cut the skin. Once psoriasis is involved in the same area, I would think more caution is needed. Sorry I can't be more help but that's the only experience I've had similar to yours and again, for me psoriasis wasn't involved.

[Autumn]

Welcome Autumn!

I have venous insufficiency in both legs.  I was also diagnosed with Primary Lymphedema.  This was prior to having psoriasis and my psoriasis was never bad on my legs.  I do wear (or I am suppose to, I admit I do not always) support socks for my legs.  Also I moisturize my legs often, that seems to help as otherwise they get a "cracked" look on the skin, specially around the ankles.  When the lymphedema was at it's worst, I had to wrap my legs daily and use LOTS of lotion under the wraps.  The therapist also said that with swelling and dry, cracked skin you are more prone to infection.  He also suggested using only an electric shaver as it's less likely to knick or cut the skin.   Once psoriasis is involved in the same area, I would think more caution is needed.  Sorry I can't be more help but that's the only experience I've had similar to yours and again, for me psoriasis wasn't involved.

Thanks, Kat!

That is my problem as well.  I was diagnosed a few years back and then this happened with the cellulitis.  the problem has gotten better as we get away from the warmer months.  My recent bout with it required a heavy application of Aquaphor, triamcinolone and  antibiotic at night.  I can finally get my right leg back in my support hose.  There is a concern of infection with the psoriasis fissures, especially on the feet.  They actually used something called xeroderm on an open crack inside of my heel.  That healed within the week.  Venous insufficiency is troubled usually compounded by extra sodium and lack of activity.  For me, I sit a lot on my job; which was not the case in the past.  Trying to elevate my legs  during the day is really tough to do.  It is frustrating to say the least to have the time to do that.  Thanks for the message!

[Autumn]

Hello Autumn   to Psoriasis Club.

I would have thought that open skin such as raw psoriasis could get infected, but I'm not sure if people with psoriasis get more problems than others.

Hopefully someone else will know more.

Regards.

Fred.

Thanks!

[Autumn]

Thanks for the responses here.  It is a beautiful day!

[jiml]

Thanks for the responses here.  It is a beautiful day!

Nice to see you back Autumn ....it's a warm night here in England .... but I know nothing of venous insufficiency... so I'm learning from you and Kat