Resolved question:
About 4 days ago I had what I thought was an ingrown hair on my knee and bled it a bit to release the pressure, but 24 hrs ago I noticed it was black immediately around the site and red and swollen around it. That evening I noticed my femoral lymph nodes on that side were very tender, along with the area connecting them. I originally thought that must have been a pulled groin, as I work in construction. I now am experiencing a mid-grade fever with chills and overall body ache. What might this be, and how dangerous is it?
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Family Physician-GP
Hello,
Thank you for asking your query at DoctorSpring.
It seems the red /swollen lesion (probably a folliculitis) has got infected with bacteria. The most common cause in Staphylococcus aureus. The enlarged Lymph nodes denote infection and inflammation (as it drains that part of the leg). Sp basically there is bacterial infection, which is reflecting in the lymph nodes are swelling and in your body as fever and chills. You will defenitly require antibiotics (like Cloxacillin / Cephalosporins) for 7 days (in consult with your Doctor). For the pain and inflammation you can take an OTC, NSAID like Ibuprofen 400mg twice daily. If there is any pus discharge it will require cleaning and dressing. Now there are two things to consider in addition.
1. It is not very usual for a superficial skin infection to cause fever. So any other cause of fever needs to be looked into by a Physical examination
2. Co existing Diabetes needs to be ruled out by doing a Fasting Blood Sugar.
How dangerous it is ? Well this per se is not dangerous. But you will need early antibiotics. Otherwise it can lead on to complications like spread of infection.
Hope this helps
Please feel free to ask followup questions.
Thank you