How to Talk to a Doctor About Cellulitis
When dealing with an infection like cellulitis, it's extremely important to get treatment as soon as possible. When you talk to your doctor, listen carefully to the information and instructions that he gives you so that you can take care of your cellulitis and do your best to prevent it from reoccurring. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Make an appointment with your doctor or primary care provider to have your skin examined for cellulitis. When you call to arrange the appointment, indicate that you suspect you may have a bacterial infection and that you need to see a doctor as soon as possible. It's important to indicate that the appointment is urgent, or you may be asked to wait several days, or even weeks, which may be much too long to wait to stop the spread of infection.
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Answer all of your doctor's questions about the symptoms of cellulitis you are experiencing and when they developed, as well as questions about your general medical history. Your doctor will use these symptoms to determine if you have cellulitis. She will most likely ask about fever or chills you may have experienced to find out if the cellulitis infection may have spread throughout your bloodstream or to other organs.
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Talk to your doctor about any cuts, scrapes or insect bites you have experienced on your skin. These types of wounds may lead to cellulitis, so it's important to let your doctor know during your appointment so he can examine them for symptoms. In addition to any injuries you've experienced, tell your doctor about areas of the body where you have had surgery or stitches, as these areas may also be at risk for developing cellulits.
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Inform your doctor about any recent exposure you have had to wild animals, especially fish in natural bodies of waters like ponds or lakes. The bacteria that causes the cellulitis infection is often found in this type of water. Fish tanks also sometimes carry this type of bacteria, so if you have one at home or have recently touched the water in a fish tank, it's a good idea to mention it to your doctor during the appointment.
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Ask your doctor about any side effects of medication that he prescribes to treat your cellulitis. There is a good possibility your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic to be taken orally, so you'll want to understand any side effects that you could experience from taking it and let your doctor know about any allergies you may have.
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Tips & Warnings
Cellulitis and other bacterial infections can lead to much more severe conditions if left untreated and may even cause death. Seek immediate medical attention if you think you have cellulitis on any part of your body, and talk to your doctor about the best form of treatment.
