Cellulitis Infection

[Erik van Ingen]

Okay so here's the deal... Tuesday after a workout I managed to get a blister on my heel (a big bubbly bastard at that) The next day I went to the athletic trainers to get it wrapped up so it didn't rub too bad, they sent me to health services in fear of it being infected. After waiting at health services and speaking with a nurse, a nurse practicioner, and a doctor I was put on 500mg of Cephalexin three times a day for ten days with no restrictions to running. Now this is a relatively mild case as there is no swelling or streaking, just some redness and tenderness/heat to the touch of the infected area. Now everyone I talk to including coaches teammates etc... don't have any experience with this type of infection. I asked the doctor if the antibiotic would limit my performance at all and he responded with a "no". Now I have been feeling pretty crummy the past few days running and have fealt pretty fatigued outside of running, I don't know if this is infection related. Now I ask if any of you have had any remote type of experience with cellulitis infections and any reccomendations to help speed up the recovery if you experienced any detriments to your running, I'm just a bit paranoid to feeling crappy at this point as I have IC4A's in a week and would like to run well.

Any words of wisdom to anybody who has had any experience with this type of thing would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks much

[HawksXC84]

Okay so here's the deal... Tuesday after a workout I managed to get a blister on my heel (a big bubbly bastard at that) The next day I went to the athletic trainers to get it wrapped up so it didn't rub too bad, they sent me to health services in fear of it being infected. After waiting at health services and speaking with a nurse, a nurse practicioner, and a doctor I was put on 500mg of Cephalexin three times a day for ten days with no restrictions to running. Now this is a relatively mild case as there is no swelling or streaking, just some redness and tenderness/heat to the touch of the infected area. Now everyone I talk to including coaches teammates etc... don't have any experience with this type of infection. I asked the doctor if the antibiotic would limit my performance at all and he responded with a "no". Now I have been feeling pretty crummy the past few days running and have fealt pretty fatigued outside of running, I don't know if this is infection related. Now I ask if any of you have had any remote type of experience with cellulitis infections and any reccomendations to help speed up the recovery if you experienced any detriments to your running, I'm just a bit paranoid to feeling crappy at this point as I have IC4A's in a week and would like to run well.

Any words of wisdom to anybody who has had any experience with this type of thing would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks much

The infection itself can cause the feelings you have described. However, the antibiotic you are on as with many of the Cephalosporins can cause malaise and fatigue. See below for the listed common side effects from the PDR.

Less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

*

mild nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
*

dizziness, tired feeling;
*

joint pain

Now these side effects may be fine for the population at large and no real restrictions would apply. However, an athlete in competition will feel them more than the general population. In my experience colleagues who don't work with athletes fail to see the importance of this.

The effects of the medication will subside as you finish your course of treatment. In the mean time increase your rest, increase fresh fruits, vegetables and hydration.

[Erik van Ingen]

ok, cool thanks thats good to know, by chance do you know roughly how long it will take for me to feel normal after im done with the antibiotic?

[RFXCrunner]

Most antibiotics clear out pretty quickly. Just take the whole course and you should be fine for next weekend.

[HawksXC84]

ok, cool thanks thats good to know, by chance do you know roughly how long it will take for me to feel normal after im done with the antibiotic?

As with any medication there is a variable response with each person who takes it. However, an estimate on my part without knowing your medication or health history would be 2 - 3 days after the last dose of the antibiotic. Remember this is just an estimate could be shorter or longer.

good luck at IC's