Cellulitis? As much info as possible please!?

I got stung by a bee on my leg last Saturday the 29th and was infected with cellulitis, a bacterial infection of the skin. I have a growing hive. I went to the doctor yesterday (Monday) and he gave me medicine and said it should clear up soon. Unfortunately the affected area seems to be getting worse. Its turning a darker red color and is very hot. It itches badly and is somewhat painful. I feel like the symptoms are getting worse, but I don't have a fever.

Should I be concerned? I'm going for a follow-up appointment soon (Thursday?) but I'm afraid the infection is going to spread into my knee, joints, and bloodstream.

Thanks for any help!!

Cellulitis can be serious and must be seen to professionally. It is an infection of the deepest layer of the skin - bacteria get in there, from the stinger, or other object that pricked, cut or grazed you. Once under the skin surface, the bacteria can spread like wild-fire. it can do a lot of damage to your skin.

Cellulitis occasionally spreads to cause blood poisoning as suggested in other answers, and in rare cases it can infect the heart and some other organs (especially if you have a diminished immune system). If any of this happens it becomes potentially life-threatening.

It is most important to treat cellulitis as soon as possible with antibiotocs (I hope that was the medicine your doctor gave you). Please realise, though that quite commonly the first antibiotic chosen is not up to the job. It should reduce the size of the infection within three days, if not then go back to the docs and let them think of another one. The reasons this happens are a) different species of bacteria are susceptible to different brands of antibiotic and you don't know the culprits yet and b) some of these little pests have develped immunity to some brands.

If the red and swollen area continues to spread or worsen, or if you see streaks of red up your limb, or if you start to feel generally ill in a flu sort of way, get straight back to the doctors. Don't delay.

One way of monitoring progress is to draw round the boundary of the red sore area with a felt tip pen and see if it invades across your line (I had my mother do this when she got it). Another way these days is to take a quick digital photo.

It remains possible that you are also having a localised allergic reaction to the sting and that should go down of its own accord in a few days. Do not put on any allergy or itch creams though, since this may interfere with the more important (and professionally prescribed) cellulitis treatment.

Cellulitis is no joke, but can usually be knocked on the head by timely use of the right antibiotics.

Link to cellulitis information included.

Sounds like you should ring up and ask to see the doctor earlier. Describe what has been happening to the secretary and I'm sure they'll try to get you in earlier.

If you are having difficulty with fevers and loss of appetite you might prefer to go to a hospital emergency room.

If you are having difficulty with breathing - get off the computer and ring for an ambulance!

STEROIDS,Get some!!!!!!!!!

Yweah I had something along those lines. i got steroids. it helped ... but i think it was stess at the end of it all.....

have someone see it immediately, it sounds like it is turning into blood poisoning

yes i had this cellulitis odema it was awful my whole body was like a michelin man and i was 38 weeks pregnant i was leaking pus/water from my ankles it spread everywhere apart from my face and back and i kid you not it was itchy painful sore i was induced cause of the distress the baby was in. It also apart to go in my bloodstream anyway my advice is get on the phone and get seen before it gets like mine did i do not wish that upon anybody it was awful!!!!