Blistery rash on legs

[Annb]

A couple of years ago I developed both folliculitis and cellulitis on my lower right leg. I was given antibiotics and it eventually calmed down but I was left with a pink lumpy area on my leg (scars, I was told). Off and in the area has been uncomfortable, but it always calms down again. However it's back again, along with problems with my knees - apparently arthritis - and my doctor thinks it is eczema but the whole area is swollen and painful and now it is spreading to my left leg. The area now has quite a few sore "blisters" and these are also appearing on my left leg. These blisters are not watery but quite firm and although they look like blisters, they may just be lumps - mostly about half and inch long and maybe one eighth of an inch wide. My legs are both swollen anyway due to fluid retention.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? Is it anything to do with Type 2 diabetes or is it something quite different?

Any advice would be very welcome because I think my doctor is wrong.

 

[Charles Robin]

Do you see a diabetic specialist? If so, I would ask to have an appointment with them. It will help set your mind at ease, or if there is a problem, it will be diagnosed and you will get the help you need. It could be to do with diabetic neuropathy, or it could be something more benign. My father (not diabetic) was in a motorbike accident and spent weeks in hospital a few years back. There was a man in the bed next to him with a skin disease that the doctors couldn't explain. Once my dad was discharged, he noticed that his skin had started to look the same as the man from the hospital. Further investigation revealed it was actually just the healing process. In effect, he had a giant 'scab' across most of his body, completely normal from such severe injuries as he had sustained. What I'm trying to say is, keep an open mind until you have seen a specialist

 

[Annb]

The diabetes service here in the Western Isles seems well organised but there have been so many changes in the last year or so that the whole thing is confused now. I no longer see a specialist because we don't have one any more. We have a nurse led clinic which, while friendly and helpful, doesn't seem to have much in the way of answers. I think I'll try to see another doctor and see what he/she thinks.

 

[Enclave]

Hi Annb,
Just reading your leg problem .. It's a very long shot .. But are you taking ibuprofen by any chance .. ?

 

[Annb]

Hi Annb,
Just reading your leg problem .. It's a very long shot .. But are you taking ibuprofen by any chance .. ?

No - I don't take Ibuprofen because it has never worked for me and because I've heard of one or 2 issues with it. My pain relief is paracetamol. I normally don't take it but I've done dome damage to my knee which has been sooo painful that I've had to take something.

 

[catherinecherub]

A longshot @Annb but can you relate to any of these skin conditions?

http://www.healthline.com/health/skin-disorders

I would ask your G.P. to refer you to a dermatologist.

 

[Enclave]

Yes it's a trip to the drs to find out what's causing this ..

 

[Annb]

Checked out that website and it looks like Erysipelas
but it may not be. I'll need to ask a doctor. To me it doesn't look like eczema though. Thanks for the link.